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 |  |
IMPROMTU AT THE SIGHT OF SPRING
How sweet it usd to be when april firstUnclosd the arum leaves & into view
Its unlike spindle flowers their cases burst
Betingd wi yellowish white or lushy hue
Tho manhood now wi such has small to do
Else I remember what delight was mine
When on my sunday walks I usd to go
Flower gathering tribes in childish bliss to join
Peeping & searching hedge row side or woods
When thorns stain green wi slow unclosing buds
Ah how delighted humming on the time
Some namless song or tale I sought the flowers
Some rushy dyke to jump or bank to climb
Ere I obtaind em while from hasty showers
Oft under trees we nestld in a ring
Culling our ‘Lords & ladies’—O ye hours
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Stained wi spots of jet I never see
Those dear delights which april still does bring
But mem'rys tongue repeats it all to me
I view her pictures with an a[n]xious eye
I hear her stories wi a pleasing pain
Youths witherd flowers alas ye make me sigh
To think in me yell never bloom again
| The early poems of John Clare | |