The later poems of John Clare 1837-1864 ... General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger |
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The later poems of John Clare | ||
SONG
[O'er the emerald meads I wandered]
1
O'er the emerald meads I wanderedIn the sunny afternoon
Where the rivers flood meandered
And the John-go-to-bed at noon
Shut up among the grass
As the eve was comeing nigh
There I saw a bonny lass
Wi' kindness in her eye
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I' gown o' buff and spencer blackThe maid was neatly dresst
And sweetly went the summer rack
Soft over heavens breast
She went along the meadow grass
Like beauty in a dream
And lightly stepped the happy lass
And gently flowed the stream
648
3
I saw her in my memories eyeAn half an hour or more
Yet never saw a tree or sky
Look half so sweet before
The rustling flags and water-birds
And pleasant looking weather
Like pleasant thoughts and wispering words
When lovers talk together
4
They talked to me while standing thereAnd laughed and giggled too
And warmly gleamed the summer air
The sky was bright and blue
How sweet she o'er the meadow went
Like pleasures i' the mind
And scarcely bowed that horney bent
And scarcely stirred the wind
5
But in my heart and in my breastA burning spirit came
Her abscence leaves a wild unrest
Just like a sco[r]ching flame
That burns the aching breast
She passt and cometh not again
Who went the meadow way
My brightest fancy looks in vain
E'er since that pleasant day
6
In gown o' buff she passed me byeAlong the meadow way
And lovely was the autumn sky
And pleasant was the day
649
The maids buff coloured gown
The church tower in the trees is set
And that points to the town
The later poems of John Clare | ||