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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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ON SEEING A PICTURE OF SACRED CONTEMPLATION

Serene she looks she wears an angels form
Her arching eyes are fixt upon the skye
Gloomy yet glistning tween black curls wipd bye
Like a bright rain bow painted on the storm
Her blue veind breasts religions comforts warm
The bible opend on her lap doth lye
What mixing beautys in her face apear
Charms more then mortal lighten up her smiles
Strong faith & hope doth seem her soul to cheer
& resignation makes her smiles more dear
No earthly thoughts her purity defiles
As vapouring clouds by summers suns are driven
Sins temptings from the scriptures charm recoils
& all her soul transported seems in heaven