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 early poems of John Clare |  |
63
A COPSE IN WINTER
Shades tho yere leafless save the bramble spearWhose weather beaten leaves of purple stain
In hardy stubborness cling all the year
To their old thorns till spring buds new again
Shades still I love ye better then the plain
For here I find the earliest flowers that blow
While on the bare blea bank does yet remain
Old winters traces little heaps of snow
Beneath your ashen roots primroses grow
From dead grass tufts & matted moss once more
Sweet beds of vi'lets dare again be seen
In their deep purple pride & sweet displayd
The crow flowers creeping from the naked green
Adds early beautys to thy sheltering shade
| The early poems of John Clare | |