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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[Souls so distrest no comfort never knows] |
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 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
42
[Souls so distrest no comfort never knows]
Souls so distrest no comfort never knowsBut hopes despairing hatches keener woes
Who now as prisoner sits prepard to flye
On each wingd groan & heavy rending sigh
Rent is the heart with dark dessending fate
Views all around it in a kindred state
Each object now seems witness—to her cost
& hints that Innocence neglect had lost
The things that once coud pleas now pleas no more
& as their im[a]ge bygone scenes explore
Memerys rank poison festers still more deep
& what was once gives fresh[er] cause to weap
Ah coud I see the Cheat I now can see
A[s] I was then the sigh I now might be
Ill fated girl—the days still come & go
But marys settld grief no Change can know
Bent on her end the fate known [best]
& night invites to sleep—but not to rest.
| The early poems of John Clare | |