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University of Virginia Library

The early poems of John Clare

1804-1822: General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger

Clare, John (1793-1864)

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I.

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Poems Descriptive of Rural Life and Scenery and other poems

[No hailing curry favouring tothers]

ON MR --- LOCKING UP THE PUBLIC PUMP

LINES WRITTEN WHILE VIEWING SOME REMAINS OF AN HUMAN BODY IN LOLHAM LANE

THE FLOWER POTT

FAREWELL TO A THICKETT

[I dreamd & even think I see him now]

THE GIPSIES EVENING BLAZE

EPIGRAM ON ROME

TO MRS ANNA ADCOCK AUTHOR OF ‘COTTAGE POEMS’

SUN-RISING IN SEPTEMBER

[Hail England old England my Country & home]

WONDER!!! IF A WOMAN KEEPS A SECRET

[Behind the far woods lowly sunk was the sun]

[Souls so distrest no comfort never knows]

[How welcome & sweet is springs infant dawning]

MY LAST SHILLING

[How lovly the thorn in the newly laid hedges]

LINES ON WELLINGTON

TO THE MEMORY OF JAMES MERRISHAW A VILLAGE SCHOOLMASTER

THE POWERFUL SMILE

[O who can paint the anguish of the heart]

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LOVE EPISTLES BETWEEN RICHARD AND KATE

Epistle 1st from Richard

Answer 1st from Kate

AN ANSWER TO M. L. A.

A HUNT FOR DOBIN OR THE FORCE OF LOVE

a.

b.

ON A LOVER OF BOOKS

THE DEATH OF DOBBIN

THE WOUNDED SOLDIER

IMPROMTU SUGGESTED WHILE VIEWING AN INFANT GRAVE

ON A WITHER'D CROWFLOWER

A REPLY TO THE ENQUIREY ‘WHAT AILS YOU?’

ADRESS TO A LARK SINGING IN WINTER

TO MR J. TURNILL

THE DISSAPOINTED MILKMAID

A MOMENTS RAPTURE WHILE BEARING THE LOVLEY WEIGHT OF A. S---R---S

A BEGGING ORPHANS ADDRESS TO A LADY

THE COUNTRY GIRL

A REPLY TO --- OF --- ON STYLEING HIS HUMBLE SERVNT A FOOL

ELEGY Humbly attempted (from the overflowing effusions of a feeling heart) to pay a small tribute of esteem and gratitude to the memory of my dear friend companion and schoolfellow R[ichard] T[urnill] who was suddenly cut off in his youthful days by the fatal depredations of the Tipus Fever

COLLIN'S COMPLAINT

THE DISABLED SOLDIER

THE DEATH OF MYRTILLA

WRITTEN IN WESLEYS PHILOSOPHY

THE EAGLE AND THE CROW

TO AN APRIL DAISY

LOBIN CLOUTS SATIRICAL SOLLILOUQUY ON THE TIMES

[O Charming bird thy melody so sweet]

[So gay in summer as thy boughs where drest]

A FAMILLIAR EPISTLE TO A FRIEND

TO JANE --- OF --- IN THE MANNER O' BURNS

THE SETTING SUN

THE DISSAPOINTMENT

[A Uglier mortal ne'er has been]

[Friend take my advise would you do yourself good]

THE QUACK & THE COBLER

THE ‘RUINS OF DESPAIR’

DOBSON AND JUDIE

THE WELCOME STRANGER

EPITAPH ON A WOU'D-HAVE-BEEN-CHARITABLE-MAN

THE CRAFTY MAID

JOHN BUMKINS LUCY

LINES ON THE DEATH OF MRS BULLIMORE

THE WOOD NIMPH'S PETITION

ON SEEING A LOST GREYHOUND IN WINTER LYING UPON THE SNOW IN THE FIELDS

WILLIAM AND SALLEY

A PLOUGHMANS SKILL AT CLASSIFICATION AFTER THE LINEIAN ARRANGEMENT

A SCHOOL BOYS WIT

[For her my youth in fruitles hopes decay]

[O worst of anguish in that aching heart]

[Thrice welcome to thy slumbering peace o Grave]

[O should these humble artles strains]

ADDRESS TO AN INSIGNIFICANT FLOWER OBSCURELY BLOOMING IN A LONELY WILD

THE LUCKLESS JOURNEY

[By lonesom Woods & Unfrequented Streams]

THE VILLAGE FUNERAL

THE LAMENTATIONS OF ROUND-OAK WATERS

[Towpenny his wisdom is & towpenny his fame is]

ALPINS HARP NEW STRUNG

TO A FAVOURITE TREE

[The humble flowers that buds upon the plain]

[To meet the Breeze that fand the trees her snowy breast was bear]

[Young Damon long lovd charming Bess of the vale]

[The crowing coks the morns for told]

[My Native Village Native Fields]

ON THE DEATH OF A SCOLD

AN IMITATION OF BURNS

[How oft (with hat pulld oer my eyes]

DEATH OF THE BRAVE

[O riches from thy cruel scorning]

ON THE DEATH OF A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY

[When from this vain World my spiri[t] is Reli[e]ved]

[Now spring returns with all her wonted charms]

[The dareing Bird that hardly shuns]

[The beauties of Myra in it[s] lustre now dawning]

THE FATE OF AMY

[I wish that I was but a gay blushing rose]

[Young Nanceys William for a Sailor press'd]

[Young Damon for Delia Sighd]

[‘O Death were is thy victory! O grave were is thy sting’]

SUPPOSD TO BE UTTERD BY WERTER AT THE CONCLUSION OF HIS LAST INTERVIEW WITH CHARLOTTE

THE MILLERS DAUGHTER

[The Rose & lilly blooms again]

DEATH OR VICTORY

[Ye spirits of the earth and air]

[Ive long been urgd friend for to write ye a Letter]

[No Chilling fears nor trembling alarms]

STANZAS ADDRESS'D TO M.C.M.

[How blest is he—the happiest mortal known]

[Reader if undisguisd thou ownst a heart]

ADDRESS TO PLENTY IN WINTER

THE RESIGNATION

[Now spring returns with all the pleasing charms]

[O welcome to thy cheering light]

ON THE DEATH OF A QUACK

[O thrice lucky town (the more lucky poor creatu'rs)]

A FEW HINTS TO A MAIDEN

[Now the Summers in its prime]

[Shakspear the Glory of the English stage]

[Summer now its lustre shining]

[Yes Ra[l]ph Natures made you both clumbsy & stout]

EPITAPH ON MR C---LE WHO AFTER EXPERIENCING MISFORTUNES URG'D AT LAST BY DESPAIR PUT A PERIOD TO HIS EXISTENCE—

CHUSING A FRIEND

[So Christianitys enlivening light]

[One monday morning sour & loath]

[[The maid who] roams upon the plain]

[O beneath such raptures in my forgetfull heart]

[Crafty cats that were constantly fixt on the watch]

[Watching [in that chill spot] that wakend the gale]

[Just as mornings rosy lass]

[Others in mixt alteration doubly blest]

[This hill on which I rest me now]

[Spirit of the woods awake]

[I saw the girl just to my mind]

[Hobbling to labour by some pasture side]

TO AN OAKEN STEM

[Gee is thy name thou prating plodding creature]

[O freedom freedom sacred name]

[O endless bright in life & light]

THE PAUSE BEFORE THE BATTLE

[The daises silver white]

[Thou moon crazd man]

[Sweet sleep & peace good night]

THE AUTUMNAL MORNING

[When gentle even oer the wild scene creeping]

[& if friendship you would win it]

SPORTS OF THE FIELD

THE BIRTH OF CHARITY

THE BIRTH OF EVE

OLD JOHNNY & DOROTHY CANNING

OPENING OF THE MORNING

CHRISTIAN FAITH

a.

WHAT IS LIFE? (a)

b.

LIFE'S LIKENESSES (b)

A REFLECTION IN AUTUMN

TO DAY THE FOX MUST DYE

ELEGY HASTILY COMPOSED & WRITTEN WITH A PENCIL ON THE SPOT IN THE RUINS OF PICKWORTH RUTLAND

‘YOU'LL NEVER CATCH ME THERE’

TO A ROSE BUD IN HUMBLE LIFE

TO THE GLOW-WORM

TO A WINTER SCENE

THE UNIVERSAL EPITAPH

THE LOVERS MEETING

THE AUTHORS ADDRESS TO HIS BOOK

THE HARVEST MORNING

IMPROMTU ON WINTER

PATTY OF THE VALE

SUPRESSION OF A SIGH

THE RECANTATION

[O gentle star so placidly]

[Closly confind among humdruming wheels]

[Ye promisd me mary last michaelmas fair]

a.

b.

VERSES ON MIDNIGHT MADE DURING A JOURNEY (b)

DAWNING OF GENIUS

THE ANCIENT HEROE

[Lost on the wild to the Storms biting breath]

[Wants yet on every side as deep suround me]

[Violet—thou art a lovly blossom]

[Tis sweet to view as on we pass]

TO THE NIGHTINGALE

TO THE MEMORY OF JAMES MERRISHAW A VILLAGE SCHOOLMASTER

AN ACT OF CHARITY!!!

EPIGRAM ON LONDON

IMPROMTU ON THE BATTLE OF ALEXANDRIA IN EGYPT

TO THE FOX FERN

[Mary I dare not call thee dear]

[‘Pink pink’ the bunting sings & picks its feather]

SONNET ON THE RIVER GASH

TO MY OATEN REED

THE WAGTAILS DEATH & PITYS FEELINGS ON BABARITY

‘MY LOVE THOU ART A NOSEGAY SWEET’

[Fair grows the tree by the side of the fountain]

[Lost to all pleasures when pl[e]asure can please [me]]

[To stand the brunts of toil & stormy weather]

[Thy eye can witness more then others]

[So now says he weegling how matters went wi im]

[Had they but got a haunch of bread]

[Full many troubles vext my hate]

[Shepherd why is this complaining]

TO REVD MR HOLLAND

[Not booted foplings when their cloaths misfit]

[The driving clouds in dark condension hung]

[Twas but a wild bramble that catchd at her gown]

[Man in that Age no rule but Reason knew]

[I Saw a Tree with Cheries Red]

[As I was walking out one Day]

[Thrice Welcome to thy song sweet warbling thrush]

[Beneath thies hedge how happy have I felt]

TO SUSAN ETHINNINGTON

TO A COLD BEAUTY, INSENSIBLE OF LOVE

THE FIRST OF MAY

APPROACH OF SPRING

[Ah doubtful bard perhaps in vain]

ADDRESS TO THE SLUGGARD

[On Saturday night she was strewing her sand]

SONG TAKEN FROM MY MOTHERS & FATHERS RECITATION & COMPLEATED BY AN OLD SHEPHERD

DOLLYS MISTAKE OR WAYS OF THE WAKE

VERSES WRITTEN ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER GWASH AT BRIDGE CASTERTON

[A pleasant path a little path]

[As hopes fair sun breaks fates desponding gloom]

[The hind that were chopping them up for his fire]

A SIMPLE EFFUSION ADDRESS'D TO MY LAME FATHER

AN EFFUSION TO POETRY

‘HOW D'YE DO & GOOD BYE’

THE DYING SNOWDROP

[There was three ravens sat upon a tree]

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II.

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The Village Minstrel and other poems

NARRATIVE VERSES WRITTEN AFTER AN EXCURSION FROM HELPSTON TO BURGHLEY PARK

DAMON AND COLLIN

THE WOOD-CUTTERS NIGHT SONG

TO THE BUTTERFLYE

SORROWS FOR A FRIEND

THE LAST OF APRIL

IMPROMTU ON FINDING A BIRDS NEST

SHIPWRECKD GHOST

ADDRESS TO MY FATHER AFTER RECIEVING AN EASY CHAIR FROM THE RIGHT HON LADY—

DESCRIPTION OF A THUNDER STORM

TO A COWSLIP EARLY

AFTER READING IN A LETTER PROPOSALS FOR BUILDING A COTTAGE

A COPSE IN WINTER

TO CAPTAIN SHERWILL JUN.

TO A RED CLOVER BLOSSOM

TO A METHODIST PARSON AFTER HEARING HE HAD SPOKEN VERY ROUGHLY IN MY BELIEF OF GHOSTS &C

IMPROMTU AT THE SIGHT OF SPRING

THE MOTHERS CAUTION

Sports of the Village

HODGES CONFESSION

ON LEAVING LONDON

THE GIPSEYS CAMP

WRITTEN IN APRIL AT WALK LODGE

THE AUTHORS EPITAPH

TO A LADY UNKNOWN

THE VILLAGE MINSTREL

RECCOLECTIONS AFTER A RAMBLE

THE LABOURERS PASSING SIGH

APPROACH OF WINTER

[O why was love sent here to kill]

AN AFTER REPENTANCE

SORROWS FOR A FAVOURITE TABBY CAT WHO LEFT THIS SCENE OF TROUBLES FRIDAY NIGHT NOV. 26 1819

AFTER HEARING A LADY SING ‘BANKS O' DOON’

THE LODGE HOUSE

AFTER READING A FLATTERING PRAISE ON THE GRAVE STONE OF AN OLD TRANSGRESSOR

ON SEEING A PICTURE OF SACRED CONTEMPLATION

a.

ROBS TERRORS OF NIGHT OR COURTING ON ASS BACK (a)

b.

THE LOVERS JOURNEY (b)

CHILDISH RECOLLECTIONS

TO --- UNDER A CLOUD

AFTER A FINE WINTERS DAY

AFTER HEARING A LADY PLAY THE MUSICAL GLASSES

STANZA TO A TEAR

WRITTEN IN AUTUMN

IN HELPSTONE CHURCH YARD

TO AN HOUR GLASS

AFTER HEARING RURAL RYHMES OF W.H. PRAISD BY A LADY

WRITTEN ON A BIRTHDAY 20 YEAR

RECOLLECTIONS AFTER AN EVENING WALK

A SIGH IN A PLAY GROUND OF INFANCY

‘O SWEET IS LOVE’

SECOND ADRESS TO THE ROSE BUD IN HUMBLE LIFE

WRITTEN IN NOVEMBER

THE DISSAPOINTMENT

A LOOK AT THE HEAVENS

TO AN ANGRY BEE

& She Vowd She Woud Never Be Mine

[If beauty be fading it charmeth the heart]

I LOVE THY SHADE

TO AN EARLY BUTTERFLYE

a.

WIDOWERS SIGH—

b.

WIDOWERS LAMENT (b)

TO AN INFANT DAUGHTER

IMITATION OF ‘SAD WAS THE HOUR’ &C &C

[O days of youth to me ye are so dear]

[Who that looks upon thee love]

TO THE LASS OF THE VALLEY

EXTEMPORE ON AN ALE WIFES OVER BOILD MEAT

THE LINGERING ROSE

[O I sings the top name of all salleys]

LABOURERS SOLILOQUY ON DEAD DOBBIN

THE WILD FLOWER NOSGAY

TO LORD RADSTOCK

[Spring of life fare ye well I have tasted your sweetness]

[Learning may polish up love wi fine feelings]

[Thousands of miles have I gangd heavy hearted]

[No grandeur here wi affections shew]

[Loves recollections is like the spring morning]

[Turn again thou sweet beguiling]

[Give me the hour that puts to bed]

[Leave the door in peace man]

[Springs flushing bud has opend into leaf]

[Steal my sweet bessy from racket & dancing]

[Three suns had gilt the cottage top]

[The spring has brought its blessing love]

[Blow on ye winds till yer breath it is broken]

THE IRISH EMIGRANT

[When I met wi her I coud wish for my own]

TO THE RURAL MUSE

TO AN OATEN REED

MILK MAIDS LAMENT

LASS OF LINNEY MOOR

[& let pity find an odd penny good neeghbours]

[Ill neer walk at even Jim]

[Ye maidens that sunshine of beauty is warming]

[So soon in the morning, love were are ye toiling]

[O bonney lass of harrow lea]

[Were woodbines are wreathing & zephers are breathing]

a.

b.

[Theres some with a bottle will rub off the thorn]

[What power again bids grasses grow]

[Scenes of sweet feelings ye trees & ye bushes]

SLIGHTED LOVES LAST ADDRESS TO HIS MISTRESS

[O nature thou art sweet I oft did steal]

MEADOWHAMSTEAD FAIR

[Theres not a pleasure half so blest]

A WINTERS RAMBLE

TO THE MEMORY OF KEATS

[Her cheeks did like the roseys glow]

ADDRESS TO TIME

[I urge no muse new terrors to impart]

[The eve winds of autumn blow chilly & hollow]

[If one summers day ye will bid care adieu love]

[When dews pearl the blossom]

[Where on bridge wall or gate or trees smooth bark]

[As lingers winter oer the forward spring]

[How eager does he eddy round]

[O even tide o even tide]

‘BUTTON CAP’

[Stingo white froathing oer the polisht can]

ADDRESS TO A COPY OF ‘CLARES POEMS’ SENT O. GILCHRIST ESQR

[To wish thee anguish worse then hell]

[Dear native spot though nought to thee is given]

RICH AND POOR; OR SAINT AND SINNER

[The balmy breathing of her voice that breaks]

[How dread insensible death seems to be]

[Thy smiles are dear to him that needs thy smiles]

[Lifes bud unseals in extacy & joy]

[The brook from its fountain rock drop after drop]

[The joys of childhood are full thickly sown]

[Theres many heart acheth]

TWO SONNETS TO MARY

[Thy beauty thro my life hath been]

[A rainbow paints yon deep blue cloud]

[How oft Ive lay tween waking & a dream]

[How many times with weary feet]

[Who does not feel the grand sublimity]

[I hate to see mans strength employd]

A DEDICATION TO MARY

[[Aut]umn is beautiful to see]

[By twittering swallows we percieve]

[Oft in my earlier days of leisure]

[Vision of days gone by your memory dances]

EDMUND & HELLEN

[Sweet blossoms of lifes happy spring]

THE FODDERING BOY

SCHOOL BOYS IN WINTER

AUTUMN LANDSCAPE

[As I wanderd oer the irish hills]

a.

THE LABOURERS HYMN (a)

b.

THE REFORMERS HYMN (b)

WHATS BEAUTYS LOVE

TO AN INFANT SISTER IN HEAVEN

A REFLECTION IN SUMMER

ON SEEING PITT'S MONUMENT—

SOME ACCOUNT OF MY KIN, MY TALLENTS & MYSELF

THE CROSS ROADS OR HAYMAKERS STORY

DEATH OF DOBBIN

THE WIDOW OR CRESS GATHERER

THE WORKHOUSE ORPHAN

THE FATE OF GENIUS

PASTIME IN SUMMER

MAGGYS REPENTANCE

a.

b.

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[O welcome to thy cheering light]

O welcome to thy cheering light
That smooths the raven down of night
Fair moon I court thy peacful reign
(Recourse to sleep with me is vain
She seeks the Beds of healt[h] & ease
But shuns the wretch devoid of these)
Thy silence & thy peace I love
The dim seen plain & darker grove
& (balm for woe) an hours Reprieve
I watch the sober close of eve
To seek for the[e] & for the fair
The maid of thy peculiar care
That shuns the noisy & the rude
& thou art nurse of Solitude

329

When thou art present she is near
& thou & thine art ever dear
The gloomy haunt her taste approves
My coresponding genius love[s]
I always love & take delight
Be thine or not to rule the night
When suns set red & darknes lowers
Above my head in threatend showers
& when night spreads her sable shroud
Beneath one undivided cloud
—But more delighted love to seek
When thy light paints the maidens cheek
& softer shades the darksom folds
Which nights gloom in her mantle rolls
O then how sweet with her & you
& handmaid contemplation too
& sister silence lonly led
The solem scenes of night to tred
The pasture & the green to rove
Pacing neath the willow grove
Or oer brown fallows wher the sheep
For us a batterd pathway keep
Where strong voicd labours noises oer
Hollows at the plough no more
Ceasing to urge labour on
From the scene Industrys gone
Leaving her to breath awile
Strength Recruiting—farther toil

330

—Short the sweets which I pursue
'Morrows dawn the toils renew
Dull the scenes I now survey
Blyth & jolly all the day
Kate has ceasd with idle bawl
Her Roving lowing cows to call
'Neath the awthorn by the spring
Collin ceases now to sing
& the ploughman as before
Rants his vulgar lays no more
All is still & desolate
Plains abandond to their fate
Save the lark that sweetly sleeps
Were the grasy bunches peeps
'Bove the clod that shields its nest
Moon sweet gilds its ruset breast