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 ANTS |
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 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
THE ANTS
What wonder strikes the curious while he viewsThe black ants city by a rotten tree
Or woodland bank—in ignorance we muse
Pausing amazd we know not what we see
Such government & order there to be
Some looking on & urging some to toil
Dragging their loads of bent stalks slavishly
& whats more wonderful—big loads that foil
One ant or two to carry quickly then
A swarm flocks round to help their fellow men
Surely they speak a language wisperingly
Too fine for us to hear & sure their ways
Prove they have kings & laws & them to be
Deformed remnants of the fairy days
| The early poems of John Clare | |