The early poems of John Clare 1804-1822: General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger |
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ADDRESS TO PLENTY IN WINTER
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 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
ADDRESS TO PLENTY IN WINTER
A Parody
O thou bliss to Riches known
(Stranger to the poor alone)
Giving most where none's requir'd
Leaving none where most desir'd
Who sworn friend to mizers keeps
Adding to their usless heaps
Gifts on Gifts profusley stord
Till Thousands swell the mouldy hurd—
While poor Shatterd poverty
To advantage seen in me
With his rags his wants & pain
(Waking pity but in vain)
Bowing cringing at thy side
Begs his mite & is denied
(Stranger to the poor alone)
Giving most where none's requir'd
Leaving none where most desir'd
311
Adding to their usless heaps
Gifts on Gifts profusley stord
Till Thousands swell the mouldy hurd—
While poor Shatterd poverty
To advantage seen in me
With his rags his wants & pain
(Waking pity but in vain)
Bowing cringing at thy side
Begs his mite & is denied
—O thou blessing let not me
Tell as vain my wants to thee
Thou by name O' Plenty stil'd
Fortunes heir—her fav'rite child
All the powers of being blest
Ease & happiness & rest
And that heaven born Charity
Claim'd existence next to thee
—'Tis a maxim—hunger feed
Give the needy when they need
Him who all profess to serve
The same maxim did observe
—Their obedience here how well
Modern times will plainly tell—
Hear my wants nor deem me bold
Not with out occasion told
Hear one wish—nor fail to give
Use me well—& bid me live
Tis not great what I solicit
Was it more thou woulds't not miss it
Now the cutting Winter's come
'Tis but just to find a home
In some shelter dry & warm
That will s[h]ield me from the storm—
Toiling in the naked fields
Where no bush a shelter yields
Needy labour dithering stands
Beats & blows his numbing hands
& upon the crumping snows
Stamps in vain to warm his toes
Leaves are fled that once had power
To resist a summer shower
& the wind so piercing blows
Winnowing small the drifting snows
The summer shade & loaded bough
Would vainly boast a shelter now
Piercing snows so searching fall
Sifts a passage thro 'em all—
Tho all's vain to keep 'em warm
Poverty must brave the storm
No dependance—(labour's all)
Sorry pittance mighty small
Friendship none its aid to lend
Health alone his only friend
Granting leave to live in pain
Giving strength to toil in vain
To be while winters horrors last
The sport of every pelting blast
Tell as vain my wants to thee
Thou by name O' Plenty stil'd
Fortunes heir—her fav'rite child
All the powers of being blest
Ease & happiness & rest
And that heaven born Charity
Claim'd existence next to thee
—'Tis a maxim—hunger feed
Give the needy when they need
Him who all profess to serve
The same maxim did observe
—Their obedience here how well
Modern times will plainly tell—
312
Not with out occasion told
Hear one wish—nor fail to give
Use me well—& bid me live
Tis not great what I solicit
Was it more thou woulds't not miss it
Now the cutting Winter's come
'Tis but just to find a home
In some shelter dry & warm
That will s[h]ield me from the storm—
Toiling in the naked fields
Where no bush a shelter yields
Needy labour dithering stands
Beats & blows his numbing hands
& upon the crumping snows
Stamps in vain to warm his toes
Leaves are fled that once had power
To resist a summer shower
& the wind so piercing blows
Winnowing small the drifting snows
The summer shade & loaded bough
Would vainly boast a shelter now
Piercing snows so searching fall
Sifts a passage thro 'em all—
Tho all's vain to keep 'em warm
Poverty must brave the storm
No dependance—(labour's all)
Sorry pittance mighty small
313
Health alone his only friend
Granting leave to live in pain
Giving strength to toil in vain
To be while winters horrors last
The sport of every pelting blast
O sad sons of poverty
Victims doomd to misery
Who can paint what pain prevails
Oer that heart which want assails
—Modest shame their pain consceals
No one knows but him that feels
O thou charm which plenty crowns
Fortune smile now winter frowns
Thine the power by the[e] possest
To give sorrow ease & rest
Cast around a pitying eye
Feed the hungry ere they dye
Think o think upon the poor
Nor against 'em shut thy door
Freely let thy bounty flow
On the sons of want & woe—
Victims doomd to misery
Who can paint what pain prevails
Oer that heart which want assails
—Modest shame their pain consceals
No one knows but him that feels
O thou charm which plenty crowns
Fortune smile now winter frowns
Thine the power by the[e] possest
To give sorrow ease & rest
Cast around a pitying eye
Feed the hungry ere they dye
Think o think upon the poor
Nor against 'em shut thy door
Freely let thy bounty flow
On the sons of want & woe—
Hills & dales no longer seen
In their dress of pleasing green
Summer robes are all thrown by
For the clothing of the sky
Snows on snows in heaps combine
Hillocks raisd as mountains shine
& at distance rising proud
Shining seems a fleecy cloud
In their dress of pleasing green
Summer robes are all thrown by
For the clothing of the sky
Snows on snows in heaps combine
Hillocks raisd as mountains shine
314
Shining seems a fleecy cloud
Plenty here thy gifts bestow
Exit bid to every woe
Take me in shut out the blast
Make the doors & windows fast
Place me in some corner where
Lolling in a Elbow chair
Haply blest to my desire
I may find a roozing fire
While in chimney corner nigh
Coal or wood a fresh supply
Ready stands for laying on
Soon as 't'other's burnt & gone
Now & then as taste decreed
In a Book a page to read
& inquirey to amuse
Peep at somthing in the News
Se[e] whos married & who's dead
& who through bankrupt beg their bread
Then to cock a pipe when tir'd
Changing just as I desir'd
While on nub or table nigh
(Just to drink before Im dry)
Pitcher at my elbow stands
& the Barrel nigh at hand
Always ready as I will'd
When 'twas empty to be fill'd
& to be posses'd of all
Corner cupboard in the Wall
Store o' victuals lin'd compleat
That when hungry I might eat
Till by plenty well supply'd
I became as satisfy'd
& ones Guts unusual eas'd
Stuft & cram'd becomes appeas'd
Painful croaking noises oer
Urging hunger calls no more
Exit bid to every woe
Take me in shut out the blast
Make the doors & windows fast
Place me in some corner where
Lolling in a Elbow chair
Haply blest to my desire
I may find a roozing fire
While in chimney corner nigh
Coal or wood a fresh supply
Ready stands for laying on
Soon as 't'other's burnt & gone
Now & then as taste decreed
In a Book a page to read
& inquirey to amuse
Peep at somthing in the News
Se[e] whos married & who's dead
& who through bankrupt beg their bread
Then to cock a pipe when tir'd
Changing just as I desir'd
While on nub or table nigh
(Just to drink before Im dry)
Pitcher at my elbow stands
& the Barrel nigh at hand
Always ready as I will'd
When 'twas empty to be fill'd
& to be posses'd of all
Corner cupboard in the Wall
315
That when hungry I might eat
Till by plenty well supply'd
I became as satisfy'd
& ones Guts unusual eas'd
Stuft & cram'd becomes appeas'd
Painful croaking noises oer
Urging hunger calls no more
Then let me in plentys lap
For the first time take a nap
Falling back in easy lare
Sweetly slumbering in my chair
No Reflective thoughts awake
Pains to cause my heart to ache
Of contracted debts long made
In no prospect to be paid
& to want sad news severe
Of provisions getting dear
While the winter shocking sight
Constant freezes day & night
Deep & deeper falls the snow
Labour slack & wages low
These & more the poor can tell
(Known alas by them to[o] well)
Plenty O if blest by thee
Never more should trouble me
Peace & happiness & ease
All thy gay attendance these
Should be my companions then
Fear'd no more the sight o' men
Shuddering as the door unlatch'd
Dreding fearing to be catch'd
By that monster seiz'd alone
By horrid name o' Bailiff known
Wi' all his plagues his debts & bills
The very thought my bosom chills
Cringing low at their comand
Creditors no more should stand
Dissapointed still unpaid
Hearing my excuses made
Carless quite to my affairs
Answering but wi' hums & ha's
When as soon as ere they see
How time's going on wi' me
Money none—old plaguing case
Anger redens in their face
Scowls his brow a dreadful frown
(I my nose strait looking down)
Finding alls no use to stay
Bangs the door too & away
Leaving me to think again
Fresh renewing every pain—
For the first time take a nap
Falling back in easy lare
Sweetly slumbering in my chair
No Reflective thoughts awake
Pains to cause my heart to ache
Of contracted debts long made
In no prospect to be paid
& to want sad news severe
Of provisions getting dear
While the winter shocking sight
Constant freezes day & night
Deep & deeper falls the snow
Labour slack & wages low
These & more the poor can tell
(Known alas by them to[o] well)
Plenty O if blest by thee
Never more should trouble me
Peace & happiness & ease
All thy gay attendance these
316
Fear'd no more the sight o' men
Shuddering as the door unlatch'd
Dreding fearing to be catch'd
By that monster seiz'd alone
By horrid name o' Bailiff known
Wi' all his plagues his debts & bills
The very thought my bosom chills
Cringing low at their comand
Creditors no more should stand
Dissapointed still unpaid
Hearing my excuses made
Carless quite to my affairs
Answering but wi' hums & ha's
When as soon as ere they see
How time's going on wi' me
Money none—old plaguing case
Anger redens in their face
Scowls his brow a dreadful frown
(I my nose strait looking down)
Finding alls no use to stay
Bangs the door too & away
Leaving me to think again
Fresh renewing every pain—
Now no more by these oprest
Wouldst thou give what I request
Free'd from Povertys chill north
That does bring these monsters forth
Where the clouds of want prevade
& spread one continu'd shade
Hopes as soon as born destroy
Shuts out day & every joy
These tho they not cease to be
Now [no] more should trouble me
Tho existing they're not mine
Blest where pleasures sun can shine
Neath whose rays so deeply felt
Like to snow these monsters melt
Namless troubles causing grief
Want that begs in vain relief
Empty guts that pines & frets
Oer her poverty & debts
All as quick[l]y droops & dies
As the dew in summer dry's
Nought but plenty now & peace
Joy & pleasure health & ease—
Wouldst thou give what I request
Free'd from Povertys chill north
That does bring these monsters forth
317
& spread one continu'd shade
Hopes as soon as born destroy
Shuts out day & every joy
These tho they not cease to be
Now [no] more should trouble me
Tho existing they're not mine
Blest where pleasures sun can shine
Neath whose rays so deeply felt
Like to snow these monsters melt
Namless troubles causing grief
Want that begs in vain relief
Empty guts that pines & frets
Oer her poverty & debts
All as quick[l]y droops & dies
As the dew in summer dry's
Nought but plenty now & peace
Joy & pleasure health & ease—
Nothing wanting all possest
Blessings soon as wish'd for blest
No desire will fill my eye
But what thou canst satisfy
O so sweet the joys you give
Life may then desire to live
& no longer wish to die
Heaven below will satisfy
Hours & weeks will sweetly glide
Soft & smooth as flows the tide
Where no stones nor choaking [grass]
Force a curve ere it can pass
Smoothing on meets no delay
So my Life would pass away
And as happy & as blest
As beast drop them down to rest
When in pastures at their will
They have roam'd & eat their fill
Every craving then supply'd
Every wish as satisfied
Not a pain nor want they feel
Rest o'er them as softly steals
Soft as nights in sumer creep
So should I then fall to sleep—
While sweet visions of delight
So enchanting to the sight
Such as pleasures fancy yield
To my sight should be reveal'd
Sweetly swimming o'er my eyes
Sinking me in extacys
Blessings soon as wish'd for blest
No desire will fill my eye
But what thou canst satisfy
O so sweet the joys you give
Life may then desire to live
& no longer wish to die
Heaven below will satisfy
Hours & weeks will sweetly glide
Soft & smooth as flows the tide
Where no stones nor choaking [grass]
Force a curve ere it can pass
318
So my Life would pass away
And as happy & as blest
As beast drop them down to rest
When in pastures at their will
They have roam'd & eat their fill
Every craving then supply'd
Every wish as satisfied
Not a pain nor want they feel
Rest o'er them as softly steals
Soft as nights in sumer creep
So should I then fall to sleep—
While sweet visions of delight
So enchanting to the sight
Such as pleasures fancy yield
To my sight should be reveal'd
Sweetly swimming o'er my eyes
Sinking me in extacys
Nor would pleasures dreams no more
As they oft have done before
Cause be to create a pain
When I woke to find 'em vain—
Bitter past the present sweet
Would my happiness compleat
O how easy should I lye
& the fire upblazing high
(Summers artificial bloom)
Like a oven keeps the room
Lovly may—as mild & warm
While without the raging storm
Still unwearied scorns to cease
Would my happiness increase
Roaring in the chimney top
In no likelihood to drop
& the whichen branches nigh
Oer my snug box towering high
That sweet shelterd stands beneath
In convulsive eddies wreath
& as in oppresion proud
Peals his howlings long & loud
& as tyrant like the storm
Takes delight in doing harm
To their uttermost extent
Gives his rage & fury vent
Down before him crushing all
Till his weapons usless fall
While the clouds with horrid sweep
Gives (as suits a tyrants trade)
The sun a minutes leave to peep
To smile upon the ruins made
& to make compleat the blast
Snow & hail comes hard & fast
Rattling loud agen the glass
While the snowy sleets that pass
Driving up in heaps remains
As they oft have done before
Cause be to create a pain
When I woke to find 'em vain—
Bitter past the present sweet
Would my happiness compleat
O how easy should I lye
& the fire upblazing high
(Summers artificial bloom)
Like a oven keeps the room
Lovly may—as mild & warm
While without the raging storm
319
Would my happiness increase
Roaring in the chimney top
In no likelihood to drop
& the whichen branches nigh
Oer my snug box towering high
That sweet shelterd stands beneath
In convulsive eddies wreath
& as in oppresion proud
Peals his howlings long & loud
& as tyrant like the storm
Takes delight in doing harm
To their uttermost extent
Gives his rage & fury vent
Down before him crushing all
Till his weapons usless fall
While the clouds with horrid sweep
Gives (as suits a tyrants trade)
The sun a minutes leave to peep
To smile upon the ruins made
& to make compleat the blast
Snow & hail comes hard & fast
Rattling loud agen the glass
While the snowy sleets that pass
Driving up in heaps remains
Close adhering to the pains
Stops the light & spreads a Gloom
Suiting sleep around the room
O how blest mid winters storms
Shielded then in Fortunes arms
Who defying every frown
Hugs me on her downy breast
Bids my head lye easy down
& on winters ruins rest
So upon the troubld sea
Emblematic Simile
Birds are known to sit secure
While the billows roars & raves
Slumbering in their safty sure
Rock'd to sleep upon the waves
—So would I still slumber on
Till hour telling clocks had gone
& from the contracted day
One or more had clik'd away—
By her larum—slumbers broke
Then if felt when I awoke
Somthing like the wanting pain
Fall to eat & drink again
Then to smoke & then to read
Each the other to succeed
Just as taste should then require
Or as fancy would desire
Till wi' sitting wearied out
I for changes sake no doubt
Just might wish to leave my seat
& to exercise ones feet
Make a journey to the door
Put my nose out—but no more
There to village taste agree
Mark how times are like to be
How the weathers getting on
Peep in ruts where carts have gone
Or by stones a sturdy stroke
View the hole the boys have broke
Crizzling still inclin'd to freeze
& the rhyme upon the trees
Then to pause on ills to come
Just look upward on the gloom
See fresh storms approaching fast
View em busy in the air
Boiling up the brewing blast
Still fresh horrors schemeing there
Black & dismal rising high
From the north alarms the eye
Pregnant with a thousand storms
Huddld in her icy arms
Heavy hovering as they come
Some as mountains seem—& some
Jag'd as c[r]aggy rocks appear
Dismally advancing near
Earth unable seems to bear
The hughe mass thats moving there
Fancy at the cumberous sight
Chills & shudders with affright
Fearing lest the air—in vain
Strives her station to mentain
Wearied yields—& lets it fall
Wizzing horrid from the skys
World & nature, Life & all
Crush'd beneath its ruins lyes
—So may fancy think & fain
Fancy oft imagines vain
Natures laws by wisdom penn'd
Mortals cannot comprehend
Power almighty being gave
Endless mercy stoops to save
Causes hid from mortals sight
Proves ‘what ever is is right’
Stops the light & spreads a Gloom
Suiting sleep around the room
320
Shielded then in Fortunes arms
Who defying every frown
Hugs me on her downy breast
Bids my head lye easy down
& on winters ruins rest
So upon the troubld sea
Emblematic Simile
Birds are known to sit secure
While the billows roars & raves
Slumbering in their safty sure
Rock'd to sleep upon the waves
—So would I still slumber on
Till hour telling clocks had gone
& from the contracted day
One or more had clik'd away—
By her larum—slumbers broke
Then if felt when I awoke
Somthing like the wanting pain
Fall to eat & drink again
Then to smoke & then to read
Each the other to succeed
Just as taste should then require
Or as fancy would desire
Till wi' sitting wearied out
I for changes sake no doubt
Just might wish to leave my seat
& to exercise ones feet
Make a journey to the door
Put my nose out—but no more
There to village taste agree
Mark how times are like to be
321
Peep in ruts where carts have gone
Or by stones a sturdy stroke
View the hole the boys have broke
Crizzling still inclin'd to freeze
& the rhyme upon the trees
Then to pause on ills to come
Just look upward on the gloom
See fresh storms approaching fast
View em busy in the air
Boiling up the brewing blast
Still fresh horrors schemeing there
Black & dismal rising high
From the north alarms the eye
Pregnant with a thousand storms
Huddld in her icy arms
Heavy hovering as they come
Some as mountains seem—& some
Jag'd as c[r]aggy rocks appear
Dismally advancing near
Earth unable seems to bear
The hughe mass thats moving there
Fancy at the cumberous sight
Chills & shudders with affright
Fearing lest the air—in vain
Strives her station to mentain
Wearied yields—& lets it fall
Wizzing horrid from the skys
World & nature, Life & all
Crush'd beneath its ruins lyes
322
Fancy oft imagines vain
Natures laws by wisdom penn'd
Mortals cannot comprehend
Power almighty being gave
Endless mercy stoops to save
Causes hid from mortals sight
Proves ‘what ever is is right’
—Then to look again below
Labours former life to view
Who still beating thro the snow
Spite of storms their toils pursue
Forc'd out by nessesity
(That sad fiend that forces me)
Troubles then no more my own
Which I but too long had known
Might create a care, a pain
Then I'd seek my joys again
Pile the fire up fetch a drink
Then sit down again & think
Which by seeing 'custom'd things
Fresh into my memory brings
Pause on all my sorrows past
Think how many a bitter blast
When it snow'd & hail'd & blew
I have toil'd & batter'd thro'
& how many a lengthn'd day
(Half the night as one may say)
Weary lowking in a barn
Humble twenty pence to earn
—Then to ease reflective pain
To my old sports fall again
Eat & drink till that would do
Then puff out a pipe or two
Till the clock had counted ten—
Then to fetch a nap agen
I would seek my downy bed
Easy, happy, & well fed
Then might peep the morn in vain
Thro the rihmy misted pane
Then might bawl the restless cock
& the loud tong[u]'d village clock
& the frail might lump away
Waking soon the dreary day
They should never waken me
Independant blest & free
Nor as usual make me start
Yawning sighs wi' heavy heart
Loath to ope ones sleepy eyes
Weary still in pain to rise
Aching bones & heavy head
Worse then when one went to bed
Labours former life to view
Who still beating thro the snow
Spite of storms their toils pursue
Forc'd out by nessesity
(That sad fiend that forces me)
Troubles then no more my own
Which I but too long had known
Might create a care, a pain
Then I'd seek my joys again
Pile the fire up fetch a drink
Then sit down again & think
Which by seeing 'custom'd things
Fresh into my memory brings
Pause on all my sorrows past
Think how many a bitter blast
When it snow'd & hail'd & blew
I have toil'd & batter'd thro'
& how many a lengthn'd day
(Half the night as one may say)
Weary lowking in a barn
Humble twenty pence to earn
323
To my old sports fall again
Eat & drink till that would do
Then puff out a pipe or two
Till the clock had counted ten—
Then to fetch a nap agen
I would seek my downy bed
Easy, happy, & well fed
Then might peep the morn in vain
Thro the rihmy misted pane
Then might bawl the restless cock
& the loud tong[u]'d village clock
& the frail might lump away
Waking soon the dreary day
They should never waken me
Independant blest & free
Nor as usual make me start
Yawning sighs wi' heavy heart
Loath to ope ones sleepy eyes
Weary still in pain to rise
Aching bones & heavy head
Worse then when one went to bed
O the trouble wants endure
O the pains of being poor
Independant plenty hail
May my hopes with thee prevail
Nothing then to raise a sigh
O how happy should I lye
Till the clock was eight or more
Then proceed as heretofore!
—Best o' blessings sweetest charm
Boon these wishes while they're warm
My fairy visions neer despise
As reason thinks—thou reallize
Depress'd i' want & poverty
I sink—I fall—deny'd o thee
O the pains of being poor
Independant plenty hail
May my hopes with thee prevail
Nothing then to raise a sigh
O how happy should I lye
Till the clock was eight or more
Then proceed as heretofore!
—Best o' blessings sweetest charm
Boon these wishes while they're warm
324
As reason thinks—thou reallize
Depress'd i' want & poverty
I sink—I fall—deny'd o thee
Vain hope—thy Castles built in air
Could I but bid thee cease despair
Then, then adieu the vain extreams
The sad & mellancholly themes
As aid Encouragement essays
My strings to tune my songs to praise
In bolder flights—my muse begun
Should bask in plentys cheering sun
Nothing nothing then she sings
But laughing joys & pleasing things
Could I but bid thee cease despair
Then, then adieu the vain extreams
The sad & mellancholly themes
As aid Encouragement essays
My strings to tune my songs to praise
In bolder flights—my muse begun
Should bask in plentys cheering sun
Nothing nothing then she sings
But laughing joys & pleasing things
—Hear me plenty—undeny'd
Bid my soul be satisfy'd
Grant the Boon—the happy hours
& thy return shall not be long
Ere my exerted utmost powers
Repay thy kindness with a song—
Bid my soul be satisfy'd
Grant the Boon—the happy hours
& thy return shall not be long
Ere my exerted utmost powers
Repay thy kindness with a song—
| The early poems of John Clare | |