John Clare: The Midsummer Cushion Edited by R. K. R. Thornton & Anne Tibble |
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THE HAPPINESS OF IGNORANCE |
 | John Clare: The Midsummer Cushion |  |
THE HAPPINESS OF IGNORANCE
Ere I had known the world & understoodHow many follies wisdom names its own
Distinguishing things evil from things good
The dread of sin & death—ere I had known
Knowledge the root of evil—had I been
Left in some lone place where the world is wild
& trace of troubling man was never seen
Brought up by nature as her favourite child
As born for nought but joy where all rejoice
Emparadised in ignorance of sin
Where nature tries with never chiding voice
Like tender nurse nought but our smiles to win
The future dreamless beautiful would be
The present—foretaste of eternity
| John Clare: The Midsummer Cushion | |