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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THE PAUSE BEFORE THE BATTLE |
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 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
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THE PAUSE BEFORE THE BATTLE
The[n] from the mist top of the far watched hillThe breath of the night came as softly & still
As it did any night in the working mans head
As quietly [he] slept on his flock pillow bed
Tho nothing seemd more than at other times past
Yet soldiers were thitherward marching em fast
The spot it was doubtfull where foe might meet foe
The fight it was certain that it would be so
Their horse on the pasture was freed from the plow
& wandering as usual where bullock & cow
To be sure there was noises the Watching dogs growls
The neighing of horses & whooping of owls
& gossips & nurses might quake in their beds
As the shriek of the owl was omen of dread
& the sheep they did bleat & the asses did roar
But the sheep & the asses did so before
Still the camps they was forming upon the wild Heath
& the bayonet waited for blood shed & death
The horses hoofs patter & waggons did jar
Just as the thunder clap mutters afar
& louder & louder it fell on the ear
As times counted moments advancd em near
& long the lines stretchd on the [moon glazed] heath
& silent the pause as one stopping his breath
Each soldier had fears but he mentiond them not
& each had a thought that to die was his lot
| The early poems of John Clare | |