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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TO THE VIOLET |
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 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
TO THE VIOLET
Sweet tiney flower of darkley hue
Lone dweller in the pathles shade
How much I love thy pensive blue
Of Innoscence so well display'd.
Lone dweller in the pathles shade
How much I love thy pensive blue
Of Innoscence so well display'd.
What time the watry skies are full
Of streaming dappl'd clouds so pale
And sideling rocks more white than wool
Portending snowey sleet or hail.
Of streaming dappl'd clouds so pale
And sideling rocks more white than wool
Portending snowey sleet or hail.
I 'gin to seek the[e] charming flower
Along each hedghrows mossy seat
Where dithering many a cold blee hour
I've hug'd my self in thy retreat.
Along each hedghrows mossy seat
Where dithering many a cold blee hour
I've hug'd my self in thy retreat.
What makes me cherish such fond taste
What makes such raptures spring for thee
Is that thou lov'st the dreary waste
Which is so well belov'd by me.
What makes such raptures spring for thee
Is that thou lov'st the dreary waste
Which is so well belov'd by me.
11
For sollitude should be my choise
Could I this labouring life resighn
To see the little birds rejoice
And thy sweet flowers in clusters shine.
Could I this labouring life resighn
To see the little birds rejoice
And thy sweet flowers in clusters shine.
I'de chuse a cave beside some rock
Closd in all round with ash and thorn
As near my door thy tribes might flock
To shed their sweets in early morn.
Closd in all round with ash and thorn
As near my door thy tribes might flock
To shed their sweets in early morn.
But ah! that way would never prove
Means to sustain impending life
I must forgo those scenes I love
And still beat on with needy strife.
Means to sustain impending life
I must forgo those scenes I love
And still beat on with needy strife.
Sweet flower we must reverse the plan
Nor cherish such romantic views
I'll strive to seek thee when I can
Thro noontide heat or evening dews.
Nor cherish such romantic views
I'll strive to seek thee when I can
Thro noontide heat or evening dews.
So spring return with all thy train
Of flowrets clothd in varied hue
I long to see that morn again
Which brings to light the vi'lets blue.
Of flowrets clothd in varied hue
I long to see that morn again
Which brings to light the vi'lets blue.
| The early poems of John Clare | |