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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‘HOW D'YE DO & GOOD BYE’ |
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 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
547
‘HOW D'YE DO & GOOD BYE’
Come muse brush up to try thy skill
When patrons bid thee try
Be thine the pride to sing the theme
Of ‘how' do’ & ‘good bye’
When patrons bid thee try
Be thine the pride to sing the theme
Of ‘how' do’ & ‘good bye’
—This vain worlds manners, trust, & hope,
By each diserning eye
Is plain enough observ'd to be
A how do & good bye
By each diserning eye
Is plain enough observ'd to be
A how do & good bye
When thou & I (as who can tell?)
Have gaind the point in view
Thou may'st from flatterys tongue expect
The ‘Sir—& how d' ye do?’
Have gaind the point in view
Thou may'st from flatterys tongue expect
The ‘Sir—& how d' ye do?’
But should we still keep ‘as we were’
(My doubtfulness excuse)
Then hark ye Muse I prophecy
Good bye to how d' ye do's
(My doubtfulness excuse)
Then hark ye Muse I prophecy
Good bye to how d' ye do's
To Madam wealth how do belongs
She's neither you nor I
Content then wispers ‘sing thou on
‘& put up wi’ good bye
She's neither you nor I
Content then wispers ‘sing thou on
‘& put up wi’ good bye
As simple as my ballad seems
Their may in wisdoms eye
Be somthing more then what there seems
In how do & good bye
Their may in wisdoms eye
Be somthing more then what there seems
In how do & good bye
548
Tis ‘money makes the mare to go’
(For money's all the cry)
& fortunes weels & turns at will
Then how do & good bye
(For money's all the cry)
& fortunes weels & turns at will
Then how do & good bye
Wealth's a maschine & load stone like
To one point ever true
She cogs self interest's hopfull wheel
That turns wi' how d' ye do
To one point ever true
She cogs self interest's hopfull wheel
That turns wi' how d' ye do
‘How do’ says quack today & smil'd
His hopes was in his eye
But soon as provd my wants the same
His skill prescrib'd good bye
His hopes was in his eye
But soon as provd my wants the same
His skill prescrib'd good bye
Those evil spirits o' the pen
While Clients find employ
Will how d' ye do' 'em out of all
& then y' f[oo]l good bye
While Clients find employ
Will how d' ye do' 'em out of all
& then y' f[oo]l good bye
& where each sign post tells its tale
(So tempting to the view)
Youll find as ready as elswhere
Th'inviting how do' ye do
(So tempting to the view)
Youll find as ready as elswhere
Th'inviting how do' ye do
They'll howd' ye do & treat & fuss
While you with cash supply
But soon as fill'd mugs need the chaulk
Your welcome to good bye
While you with cash supply
But soon as fill'd mugs need the chaulk
Your welcome to good bye
So (suiting fashion) cupid's darts
(Success atends em too)
Each amorous passion to ex[c]ite
Are tipt wi' how d' ye do
(Success atends em too)
Each amorous passion to ex[c]ite
Are tipt wi' how d' ye do
549
Then now rich virgins old & stale
Neglect tho's made you sigh
Spun out you[r] tempting how d ye do's
& sorrow bids good bye
Neglect tho's made you sigh
Spun out you[r] tempting how d ye do's
& sorrow bids good bye
Een ‘ill star'd’ ragamuffin bards
(Poor poets flatter too)
As season suits or hopes appear
Will find their how d' ye do
(Poor poets flatter too)
As season suits or hopes appear
Will find their how d' ye do
But beggar like that chaunts the streets
(A unsuccesfull cry)
Their how d ye do's to come at gain
Is but a mere good bye
(A unsuccesfull cry)
Their how d ye do's to come at gain
Is but a mere good bye
& thus all hope & ‘how do’ on
Till death has cast the dye
& pops pat in my ballads end
A ‘how d'o’ & ‘good bye’
Till death has cast the dye
& pops pat in my ballads end
A ‘how d'o’ & ‘good bye’
| The early poems of John Clare | |