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 |  |
516
TO SUSAN ETHINNINGTON
1
& We have been so very blestIn undisturb'd domestic rest
Each word with love light softly drest
Each thought in silence blending
I could not wish our life to be
Framed of a rarer quality
All moments kind so worthy thee
And thou wast so befriending
2
Ah Why am I so wan & lowSo pitched by nature to the snow
Of this wild winters life to know
The pains of proud enduring
Is the sun made too rich & grand
To shed its gold light on my hand
And must I yield thee to a band
More gay & more alluring?
3
I kiss'd thy lip but could not speakThy full lip kissd my trembling cheek
Our eyes with passions dim & weak
In mingled lustre fainted
We parted—so the world decreed,
But still we have been blest indeed
To thee come wealth to me come need
I' both I am contented
| The early poems of John Clare | |