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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ADDRESS TO MY FATHER AFTER RECIEVING AN EASY CHAIR FROM THE RIGHT HON LADY— |
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 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
ADDRESS TO MY FATHER AFTER RECIEVING AN EASY CHAIR FROM THE RIGHT HON LADY—
Calm resignation meets a happy end& providence long trusted brings a friend
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Elisha was & ravens brought him food
& so wast thou my father fates decree
Doomd many evils shoud encompass thee
& like Elisha tho it met thee late
Patience unwearied did not vainly wait
Thou hast my father long been usd to pine
& patient bore thy pain great pain was thine
Thou hast submitted ah & thou hast known
The roughest storms that life has ever blown
Patient as lambs twas met thou bowd resignd
Tho often prayd a better place to find
Twas nought presumptious—meekly lowly gave
When pains rackt sore—some easment in the grave
To lay thy aching body down in peace
Where want & pain poor mans tormenters cease
Twas all thou wisht—& not till lat[e]ley wisht
When age came on & pain thy strength had crusht
There stood thy childern ah thou oft woud sigh
‘Lets see my babes brought up & let me die
‘Tho what I do brings them but little food
‘It better keep them then a work house woud
‘Ive small enticement in this world to find
‘But coud not rest if they was left behind’—
Bless thee my father thoust been kind to me
& god who saw it will be kind to thee
Now pains thats markt thee long wi ages scars
& age wi double blow thy end prepares
A crooked wreck the marks of what has been
Toil want & pain now but too plainly seen
Thoust met wi friends who joys to damp despair
& when most needed brought thy easy chair
An easy seat thy wasted form to bless
& make thy usless limbs to pain thee less
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Live long to bless them who the deed has done
Merrit from earthly pains the joys of heaven
So beats the bosom of thy only son
Whose joy is at its height whose long hopes crownd
To prove when wanted most thy friends are found
| The early poems of John Clare | |