The early poems of John Clare 1804-1822: General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger |
 | I. |
| II. |
 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
POVERTY
Rank Poverty dost thou my joys assailAnd with thy threatnings fright me from my rest
I once had thoughts that with a Bloomfields tale
And leisure hours I surely should be blest.
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From these few days I fondly thought my own
Hoping to spend them private and alone
But lo! thy troop of spectres intervene;
Want shows his face with idleness between
Next shames approaching step that hates the throng
Comes sneaking on with sloth that fetters strong:—
Are these the joys my leisure hours must glean?
Then I decline:—But know rank powers where ere ye meet
You ne'er shall drive me from the muses seat.
| The early poems of John Clare | |