The later poems of John Clare 1837-1864 ... General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger |
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GREATNESS OF MIND |
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 | The later poems of John Clare |  |
GREATNESS OF MIND
GREAT men are always kind, however rare,And more like common men than others are;
The poor man saw the King and wondered on,
To find him only like his neighbour JOHN:
29
The sun shines brighter when the days are clear;
Time mellows fruit, and suns bring on the flowers,
And Greatness lives with Kindness in all hours:
Fame makes them giants with her idle praise,
Though common men at home, like common days:
But Pride is ever low, and will deride;
It nothing knows, for Ignorance is Pride.
Pride would be great, but Folly laughs aloud,
And Pride sinks down to nothing in the crowd.
| The later poems of John Clare | |