The early poems of John Clare 1804-1822: General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger |
 | I. |
| II. |
 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
115
SONG
[I look on the past & I dread dark tomorrow]
I look on the past & I dread dark tomorrow
My life grows a burthen Id wish to lay down
Time meets me wi nought but new tidings of sorrow
& care tans the blown of my summer leaf brown
If life owns a joy it near fell to my portion
If pleasures a substance the shadow was mine
A skiff on the waves of a wild tossing ocean
Where no rocks befriend me such fate to resign
My life grows a burthen Id wish to lay down
Time meets me wi nought but new tidings of sorrow
& care tans the blown of my summer leaf brown
If life owns a joy it near fell to my portion
If pleasures a substance the shadow was mine
A skiff on the waves of a wild tossing ocean
Where no rocks befriend me such fate to resign
Springs done wi me & my summer is waining
Times out of call wi my best younger day
Hopes only prop of support now remaining
Is autumn attird in her mourning array
Anxious I look for the winters encroaching
& feel the leaves pat my bald head from the tree
It gives consolation of slumbers approaching
When death does the same to my sorrows & me
Times out of call wi my best younger day
Hopes only prop of support now remaining
Is autumn attird in her mourning array
Anxious I look for the winters encroaching
& feel the leaves pat my bald head from the tree
It gives consolation of slumbers approaching
When death does the same to my sorrows & me
| The early poems of John Clare | |