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 early poems of John Clare |  |
TO REVD MR HOLLAND
When trembling genius makes her first essayBy ignorance & poverty opprest
Nipt struggling in oppressions cloudy day
Ah who can tell the anguish of the breast
The doubts & fears that throng her thorny way
That fill the eye & rob the Soul of rest
Hail Holland hail thou friend to worth distrest
Thou man of taste from thy discerning eye
My artless strains have found a ready friend
The muse by thee a loftier flight will try
Thou thou alone her artless strains commend
& feign some token in return she'd send
Though rough the strain great will thy praise appear
Canst thou believe it that she sings sincere
| The early poems of John Clare | |