 | John Clare: The Midsummer Cushion |  |
440
THE ASS
Poor patient creature how I grieve to seeThy wants so ill supplied—to see thee strain
& stretch thy tether for the grass in vain
Which heavens rain waters for all else but thee
The fair green field the fullnes of the plain
Add to thy hunger colt & heifer pass
& roll as though they mocked thee on the grass
Which would be luxury to the bare brown lane
Where thourt imprisoned humble patient ass
Cropping foul weeds & scorning to complain
Mercey at first “sent out the wild ass free”
A ranger “of the mountains” & what crimes
Did thy progenitors that thou shouldst be
The slave & mockery of latter times
| John Clare: The Midsummer Cushion | |