The early poems of John Clare :: :: University of Virginia Library

The early poems of John Clare

1804-1822: General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger

Clare, John (1793-1864)

Volume I

Poems Descriptive of Rural Life and Scenery and other poems

SUMMER EVENING

SOMTHING NEW

[No hailing curry favouring tothers]

ON MR --- LOCKING UP THE PUBLIC PUMP

LINES WRITTEN WHILE VIEWING SOME REMAINS OF AN HUMAN BODY IN LOLHAM LANE

LINES TO BATH

THE FLOWER POTT

FAREWELL TO A THICKETT

ROBIN AND SUKE

THE INVOCATION

[I dreamd & even think I see him now]

THE GIPSIES EVENING BLAZE

EPIGRAM ON ROME

TO MRS ANNA ADCOCK AUTHOR OF ‘COTTAGE POEMS’

SUN-RISING IN SEPTEMBER

SONG

ON HOPE

A MAIDEN-HAID

[Hail England old England my Country & home]

WONDER!!! IF A WOMAN KEEPS A SECRET

[Behind the far woods lowly sunk was the sun]

THE PISMIRE

SONG

[Souls so distrest no comfort never knows]

SONG

THE WISH

[How welcome & sweet is springs infant dawning]

EDWARD'S GRAVE

MY LAST SHILLING

[How lovly the thorn in the newly laid hedges]

LINES ON WELLINGTON

TO THE MEMORY OF JAMES MERRISHAW A VILLAGE SCHOOLMASTER

[O who can paint the anguish of the heart]

LOVE EPISTLES BETWEEN RICHARD AND KATE

Epistle 1st from Richard

Answer 1st from Kate

AN ANSWER TO M. L. A.

AN ACROUSTIC

SONG

A HUNT FOR DOBIN OR THE FORCE OF LOVE

ON A WITHER'D CROWFLOWER

A REPLY TO THE ENQUIREY ‘WHAT AILS YOU?’

SONG

ADRESS TO A LARK SINGING IN WINTER

TO THE WELLAND

LINES TO CHLOE

TO MR J. TURNILL

THE DISSAPOINTED MILKMAID

MY ROVER

A MOMENTS RAPTURE WHILE BEARING THE LOVLEY WEIGHT OF A. S---R---S

CHUBS REPLY

FRIEND LUBIN

A BEGGING ORPHANS ADDRESS TO A LADY

THE COUNTRY GIRL

A REPLY TO --- OF --- ON STYLEING HIS HUMBLE SERVNT A FOOL

SONG

IMPROMTU

ELEGY Humbly attempted (from the overflowing effusions of a feeling heart) to pay a small tribute of esteem and gratitude to the memory of my dear friend companion and schoolfellow R[ichard] T[urnill] who was suddenly cut off in his youthful days by the fatal depredations of the Tipus Fever

THE DEATH OF MYRTILLA

WRITTEN IN WESLEYS PHILOSOPHY

THE ROSE

A WINTER WISH

THE EAGLE AND THE CROW

TO AN APRIL DAISY

LOBIN CLOUTS SATIRICAL SOLLILOUQUY ON THE TIMES

UPON THE PLAIN

[O Charming bird thy melody so sweet]

ON LABOUR

[So gay in summer as thy boughs where drest]

A FAMILLIAR EPISTLE TO A FRIEND

TO JANE --- OF --- IN THE MANNER O' BURNS

THE SETTING SUN

THE DISSAPOINTMENT

[A Uglier mortal ne'er has been]

[Friend take my advise would you do yourself good]

A SIMILE

HELPSTONE

THE QUACK & THE COBLER

THE ‘RUINS OF DESPAIR’

EPITAPH ON A WOU'D-HAVE-BEEN-CHARITABLE-MAN

THE CRAFTY MAID

JOHN BUMKINS LUCY

LINES ON THE DEATH OF MRS BULLIMORE

EVENING

THE WOOD NIMPH'S PETITION

ON SEEING A LOST GREYHOUND IN WINTER LYING UPON THE SNOW IN THE FIELDS

WILLIAM AND SALLEY

SONG

WATERLOO

A PLOUGHMANS SKILL AT CLASSIFICATION AFTER THE LINEIAN ARRANGEMENT

TO THE WINDS

A SCHOOL BOYS WIT

[For her my youth in fruitles hopes decay]

[O worst of anguish in that aching heart]

THE NOSEGAY

[Thrice welcome to thy slumbering peace o Grave]

[O should these humble artles strains]

ADDRESS TO AN INSIGNIFICANT FLOWER OBSCURELY BLOOMING IN A LONELY WILD

THE LUCKLESS JOURNEY

[By lonesom Woods & Unfrequented Streams]

THE VILLAGE FUNERAL

THE LAMENTATIONS OF ROUND-OAK WATERS

ON DR TWOPENNY

[Towpenny his wisdom is & towpenny his fame is]

ALPINS HARP NEW STRUNG

TO A FAVOURITE TREE

[The humble flowers that buds upon the plain]

[To meet the Breeze that fand the trees her snowy breast was bear]

[Young Damon long lovd charming Bess of the vale]

DISSAPOINTMENT

[The crowing coks the morns for told]

[My Native Village Native Fields]

ON THE DEATH OF A SCOLD

AN IMITATION OF BURNS

[How oft (with hat pulld oer my eyes]

DEATH OF THE BRAVE

THE TRAVELLERS

[O riches from thy cruel scorning]

ON THE DEATH OF A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY

JEANNETTE

[When from this vain World my spiri[t] is Reli[e]ved]

THE ROBBINS

[Now spring returns with all her wonted charms]

[The dareing Bird that hardly shuns]

[The beauties of Myra in it[s] lustre now dawning]

THE FATE OF AMY

HAUNTED POND

[I wish that I was but a gay blushing rose]

[Young Nanceys William for a Sailor press'd]

[Young Damon for Delia Sighd]

ELEGY TO PITY

[‘O Death were is thy victory! O grave were is thy sting’]

SUPPOSD TO BE UTTERD BY WERTER AT THE CONCLUSION OF HIS LAST INTERVIEW WITH CHARLOTTE

NIGHT

THE MILLERS DAUGHTER

[The Rose & lilly blooms again]

NATIVE SCENES

DEATH OR VICTORY

[Ye spirits of the earth and air]

[Ive long been urgd friend for to write ye a Letter]

[No Chilling fears nor trembling alarms]

EPIGRAM

STANZAS ADDRESS'D TO M.C.M.

MYRA

HER I LOVE

[How blest is he—the happiest mortal known]

[Reader if undisguisd thou ownst a heart]

ADDRESS TO PLENTY IN WINTER

THE RESIGNATION

[Now spring returns with all the pleasing charms]

[O welcome to thy cheering light]

ON THE DEATH OF A QUACK

[O thrice lucky town (the more lucky poor creatu'rs)]

A FEW HINTS TO A MAIDEN

[Now the Summers in its prime]

[Shakspear the Glory of the English stage]

FALLING LEAVES

[Summer now its lustre shining]

[Yes Ra[l]ph Natures made you both clumbsy & stout]

EPITAPH ON MR C---LE WHO AFTER EXPERIENCING MISFORTUNES URG'D AT LAST BY DESPAIR PUT A PERIOD TO HIS EXISTENCE—

[So Christianitys enlivening light]

[One monday morning sour & loath]

[[The maid who] roams upon the plain]

[O beneath such raptures in my forgetfull heart]

EXPECTATION

[Crafty cats that were constantly fixt on the watch]

[Watching [in that chill spot] that wakend the gale]

[Just as mornings rosy lass]

PS: CL

JEAN BELL

[Others in mixt alteration doubly blest]

[This hill on which I rest me now]

[Spirit of the woods awake]

[I saw the girl just to my mind]

[Hobbling to labour by some pasture side]

TO AN OAKEN STEM

THE ADIEU

[Gee is thy name thou prating plodding creature]

[O freedom freedom sacred name]

PATTY

[O endless bright in life & light]

[The ]

A SEAT AT NOON

THE PAUSE BEFORE THE BATTLE

[The daises silver white]

[& ]

[Thou moon crazd man]

[Sweet sleep & peace good night]

SONG

THE AUTUMNAL MORNING

[When gentle even oer the wild scene creeping]

[& if friendship you would win it]

OLD JOHNNY & DOROTHY CANNING

OPENING OF THE MORNING

LIFE'S LIKENESSES (b)

A REFLECTION IN AUTUMN

THE SUPRISE

TO DAY THE FOX MUST DYE

ELEGY HASTILY COMPOSED & WRITTEN WITH A PENCIL ON THE SPOT IN THE RUINS OF PICKWORTH RUTLAND

NOON

‘YOU'LL NEVER CATCH ME THERE’

EARLY RISING

TO A ROSE BUD IN HUMBLE LIFE

THE UNIVERSAL EPITAPH

THE LOVERS MEETING

THE AUTHORS ADDRESS TO HIS BOOK

[O gentle star so placidly]

[Closly confind among humdruming wheels]

[Ye promisd me mary last michaelmas fair]

TO RELIGION

MIDNIGHT (a)

VERSES ON MIDNIGHT MADE DURING A JOURNEY (b)

DAWNING OF GENIUS

THE ANCIENT HEROE

[Lost on the wild to the Storms biting breath]

[Wants yet on every side as deep suround me]

[Violet—thou art a lovly blossom]

[Tis sweet to view as on we pass]

TO THE NIGHTINGALE

TO THE MEMORY OF JAMES MERRISHAW A VILLAGE SCHOOLMASTER

AN ACT OF CHARITY!!!

EPIGRAM ON LONDON

LUBIN & COLLIN

IMPROMTU ON THE BATTLE OF ALEXANDRIA IN EGYPT

[Mary I dare not call thee dear]

[‘Pink pink’ the bunting sings & picks its feather]

THE FAREWELL

SONNET ON THE RIVER GASH

TO MY OATEN REED

THE WAGTAILS DEATH & PITYS FEELINGS ON BABARITY

THE DISCOVERY

‘MY LOVE THOU ART A NOSEGAY SWEET’

[Fair grows the tree by the side of the fountain]

[Lost to all pleasures when pl[e]asure can please [me]]

[To stand the brunts of toil & stormy weather]

[Thy eye can witness more then others]

SONNET

[So now says he weegling how matters went wi im]

[Had they but got a haunch of bread]

[Full many troubles vext my hate]

[Shepherd why is this complaining]

TO REVD MR HOLLAND

[Not booted foplings when their cloaths misfit]

[The driving clouds in dark condension hung]

[Twas but a wild bramble that catchd at her gown]

[Man in that Age no rule but Reason knew]

[I Saw a Tree with Cheries Red]

[As I was walking out one Day]

[Thrice Welcome to thy song sweet warbling thrush]

[Beneath thies hedge how happy have I felt]

TO SUSAN ETHINNINGTON

TO A COLD BEAUTY, INSENSIBLE OF LOVE

[Ah doubtful bard perhaps in vain]

ADDRESS TO THE SLUGGARD

[On Saturday night she was strewing her sand]

SONG TAKEN FROM MY MOTHERS & FATHERS RECITATION & COMPLEATED BY AN OLD SHEPHERD

THE FOUNTAIN

TO HOPE

DOLLYS MISTAKE OR WAYS OF THE WAKE

VERSES WRITTEN ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER GWASH AT BRIDGE CASTERTON

THE BATTLE

[A pleasant path a little path]

[As hopes fair sun breaks fates desponding gloom]

SONG

[The hind that were chopping them up for his fire]

A SIMPLE EFFUSION ADDRESS'D TO MY LAME FATHER

AN EFFUSION TO POETRY

‘HOW D'YE DO & GOOD BYE’

[There was three ravens sat upon a tree]

II.

Volume II

The Village Minstrel and other poems

HOME

POVERTY

NARRATIVE VERSES WRITTEN AFTER AN EXCURSION FROM HELPSTON TO BURGHLEY PARK

THE WOOD-CUTTERS NIGHT SONG

IMPROMTU ON FINDING A BIRDS NEST

SHIPWRECKD GHOST

BALLAD

ADDRESS TO MY FATHER AFTER RECIEVING AN EASY CHAIR FROM THE RIGHT HON LADY—

SONNET

SONG

HOLLYWELL

DESCRIPTION OF A THUNDER STORM

AFTER READING IN A LETTER PROPOSALS FOR BUILDING A COTTAGE

TO CAPTAIN SHERWILL JUN.

TO A RED CLOVER BLOSSOM

TO A METHODIST PARSON AFTER HEARING HE HAD SPOKEN VERY ROUGHLY IN MY BELIEF OF GHOSTS &C

BALLAD

EXPRESSION

IMPROMTU AT THE SIGHT OF SPRING

Sports of the Village

WRITTEN IN APRIL AT WALK LODGE

RECCOLECTIONS AFTER A RAMBLE

SONG

MILTON HUNT

THE LABOURERS PASSING SIGH

[O why was love sent here to kill]

AN AFTER REPENTANCE

ROSEY JANE

TO ---

SORROWS FOR A FAVOURITE TABBY CAT WHO LEFT THIS SCENE OF TROUBLES FRIDAY NIGHT NOV. 26 1819

BALLAD

TO THE CLOUDS

TO A BOWER

AFTER HEARING A LADY SING ‘BANKS O' DOON’

AFTER READING A FLATTERING PRAISE ON THE GRAVE STONE OF AN OLD TRANSGRESSOR

WOMAN

TO A DEAD TREE

ON SEEING A PICTURE OF SACRED CONTEMPLATION

EVENING BELLS

TO POESY

ROBS TERRORS OF NIGHT OR COURTING ON ASS BACK (a)

THE LOVERS JOURNEY (b)

CHILDISH RECOLLECTIONS

AFTER A FINE WINTERS DAY

AFTER HEARING A LADY PLAY THE MUSICAL GLASSES

IN HELPSTONE CHURCH YARD

TO AN HOUR GLASS

THE REQUEST

TO MY MOTHER

AFTER HEARING RURAL RYHMES OF W.H. PRAISD BY A LADY

WRITTEN ON A BIRTHDAY 20 YEAR

RECOLLECTIONS AFTER AN EVENING WALK

TO ---

A SIGH IN A PLAY GROUND OF INFANCY

‘O SWEET IS LOVE’

SECOND ADRESS TO THE ROSE BUD IN HUMBLE LIFE

A LOOK AT THE HEAVENS

TO AN ANGRY BEE

JEWEL OF ALL

TO ---

& She Vowd She Woud Never Be Mine

TO A CITY GIRL

MAID OF WARE

SUMMER TINTS

[If beauty be fading it charmeth the heart]

TO AN EARLY BUTTERFLYE

TO AN INFANT DAUGHTER

IMITATION OF ‘SAD WAS THE HOUR’ &C &C

BALLAD

POOR SOLDIER

[O days of youth to me ye are so dear]

[Who that looks upon thee love]

SONNET

TO THE LASS OF THE VALLEY

BALLADS

DRINKING SONG

BALLAD

EXTEMPORE ON AN ALE WIFES OVER BOILD MEAT

THE LINGERING ROSE

[O I sings the top name of all salleys]

ANOTHER

LABOURERS SOLILOQUY ON DEAD DOBBIN

SONG

THE WILD FLOWER NOSGAY

TO LORD RADSTOCK

WOMAN

[Spring of life fare ye well I have tasted your sweetness]

[Learning may polish up love wi fine feelings]

[Thousands of miles have I gangd heavy hearted]

[No grandeur here wi affections shew]

[Loves recollections is like the spring morning]

IMPROMTU

SONG

[Turn again thou sweet beguiling]

NOON

[Give me the hour that puts to bed]

[Leave the door in peace man]

AUTUMN

[Springs flushing bud has opend into leaf]

[Steal my sweet bessy from racket & dancing]

BALLAD

[Three suns had gilt the cottage top]

[The spring has brought its blessing love]

[Blow on ye winds till yer breath it is broken]

SONG

THE IRISH EMIGRANT

[When I met wi her I coud wish for my own]

[& let pity find an odd penny good neeghbours]

[Ill neer walk at even Jim]

SONG

[Ye maidens that sunshine of beauty is warming]

[So soon in the morning, love were are ye toiling]

[O bonney lass of harrow lea]

A KISS

[Were woodbines are wreathing & zephers are breathing]

(a)

(b)

[Theres some with a bottle will rub off the thorn]

O SAY NOT LOVE

THE CRAZY MAID

[What power again bids grasses grow]

SONG

O LOVE

SPRING

[Scenes of sweet feelings ye trees & ye bushes]

SLIGHTED LOVES LAST ADDRESS TO HIS MISTRESS

[O nature thou art sweet I oft did steal]

MEADOWHAMSTEAD FAIR

[Theres not a pleasure half so blest]

TO THE MEMORY OF KEATS

ON ---

[Her cheeks did like the roseys glow]

THE LADY FLYE

MARTINMASS EVE

ADDRESS TO TIME

[I urge no muse new terrors to impart]

[The eve winds of autumn blow chilly & hollow]

[If one summers day ye will bid care adieu love]

[When dews pearl the blossom]

[Where on bridge wall or gate or trees smooth bark]

WINTER

HOPE

TO AUTUMN

[As lingers winter oer the forward spring]

[How eager does he eddy round]

BALLAD

SONG

[O even tide o even tide]

‘BUTTON CAP’

[Stingo white froathing oer the polisht can]

MY HAT

ADDRESS TO A COPY OF ‘CLARES POEMS’ SENT O. GILCHRIST ESQR

[To wish thee anguish worse then hell]

[Dear native spot though nought to thee is given]

RICH AND POOR; OR SAINT AND SINNER

[The balmy breathing of her voice that breaks]

[How dread insensible death seems to be]

[Thy smiles are dear to him that needs thy smiles]

[Lifes bud unseals in extacy & joy]

FRAGMENTS

[The brook from its fountain rock drop after drop]

[The joys of childhood are full thickly sown]

[Theres many heart acheth]

SPRING HAUNTS

TWO SONNETS TO MARY

[Thy beauty thro my life hath been]

[A rainbow paints yon deep blue cloud]

[How oft Ive lay tween waking & a dream]

[How many times with weary feet]

MEMORY

[Who does not feel the grand sublimity]

[I hate to see mans strength employd]

SONNET

A DEDICATION TO MARY

[[Aut]umn is beautiful to see]

[By twittering swallows we percieve]

[Oft in my earlier days of leisure]

SONNET

[Vision of days gone by your memory dances]

[Sweet blossoms of lifes happy spring]

SPRING

WINTER

THE FODDERING BOY

SCHOOL BOYS IN WINTER

AUTUMN SHOWERS

AUTUMN LANDSCAPE

AUTUMN

[As I wanderd oer the irish hills]

SICKNESS

THE LABOURERS HYMN (a)

THE REFORMERS HYMN (b)

TO THE IVY

WHATS BEAUTYS LOVE

TO AN INFANT SISTER IN HEAVEN

SONNET

A REFLECTION IN SUMMER

TO NATURE

SONG OF PRAISE

TO THE DEITY

ON SEEING PITT'S MONUMENT—

SOME ACCOUNT OF MY KIN, MY TALLENTS & MYSELF

ABSENCE

TO ---

RURAL MORNING

THE CROSS ROADS OR HAYMAKERS STORY

THE WIDOW OR CRESS GATHERER

Collapse All | Expand All expand section

BALLAD

[Winter winds cold & blea]

Winter winds cold & blea
Chilly blows oer the lea
Wander not out to me
Jenny so fair
Wait in thy cottage free
I will be there

Wait in thy cushiond chair
Wi thy white bosom bare
Kisses are sweetest there
Leave it for me
F[r]ee from the chilly air
I will meet thee

229

How sweet can courting prove
How can I kiss my love
Muffld i' hat & glove
From the chill air
Quaking beneath the grove
What love is there

Lay by thy woolen vest
Rap no cloak oer thy breast
There my hand oft hath prest
Pin nothing there
There my head drops to rest
Leave its bed bare

Curl thy sweet auburn [h]air
Keep thy sweet bosom bare
Kisses are sweetest there
Love leave it free
Be the night foul or fair
Ill be wi thee

When thy friends go to sleep
Down from thy chamber creep
Fall the snow ere so deep
Chill be the air
Love will his promise keep
I will be there

When the latch gis a tink
Who it is ye may think
Wi no feard fancys shrink
Undo the door
Or at the window blink
Then yell be sure

230

Shut from the chilly air
To thee Ill hitch my chair
Snudgd on thy bosom bare
Lost in thy charms
O how Ill revel there
Rapt in thy arms