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 |  |
TO --- UNDER A CLOUD
Tho lovly flower round thee the storm is brewing& my once ‘rosebuds’ opening into ruin
When each leaf fades that gave such hopes of blooming
& sweets must blight that once wer so perfuming
& all dispoild by luckless armorous Johny
Who sung thee once so artless blythe & bonny
Thy beauty form whose songs so often tell on
Thy virtues pra[i]sd so much but ‘flesh is failing’
Yet look thou up above thy coming sorrow
The tempest falls to day & clears to morrow
If wide mouths cant be stopt why thou must bear em
As horns may chance to bud & I mun wear em
If fates condemd us poor it makes no matter
Bad news no reason were to be no better
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My many failings & thy injurd merits
Wi little left to say on this or tother
Ive spoilt thy bloom not as Id spoil another
The common weeds of every gazers freedom
Have nothing left to value or to heed em
But thou lovd bud thy every sweet uncurling
Where vices evil eye its darts were hurling
Thou still hast beautys every fate prevading
Now sweets are banishd & thy flower is fading
Thou still hast beautys left I cannot shun
From scenes thats past my bosom cannot sever
When the flower dies & every beauties done
The witherd remnant stem Ill love for ever
| The early poems of John Clare | |