The early poems of John Clare 1804-1822: General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger |
 | I. |
|
|
| a. |
| b. |
| a. |
| b. |
| a. |
| b. |
| II. |
|
| a. |
| b. |
BALLAD
|
| a. |
| b. |
| a. |
| b. |
| a. |
| b. |
| a. |
| b. |
 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
314
BALLAD
[I love thee sweet mary but love thee in fear]
I love thee sweet mary but love thee in fear
Were I but the morning breeze healthy & airy
As thou goest a walking Id breathe in thy ear
& wisper & sigh how I love thee my mary
Were I but the morning breeze healthy & airy
As thou goest a walking Id breathe in thy ear
& wisper & sigh how I love thee my mary
I wish but to touch thee but wish it in vain
Was thou but a streamlet a winding so clearly
& I little globules of soft dropping rain
How fond woud I press thy white bosom my mary
Was thou but a streamlet a winding so clearly
& I little globules of soft dropping rain
How fond woud I press thy white bosom my mary
I woud steal a kiss but I dare not presume
Was thou but a rose in thy garden sweet fairy
& I a bold bee for to rifle its bloom
A whole summers day woud I kiss thee my mary
Was thou but a rose in thy garden sweet fairy
& I a bold bee for to rifle its bloom
A whole summers day woud I kiss thee my mary
315
I long to be wi thee but cannot tell how
Was thou but the eldern that grows by thy dairy
& I the blest woodbine to twine on the bough
Id embrace thee & stick to thee ever my mary
Was thou but the eldern that grows by thy dairy
& I the blest woodbine to twine on the bough
Id embrace thee & stick to thee ever my mary
| The early poems of John Clare | |