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 |  |
BALAAMS PARABLE SECOND PART
NUMBERS CHAP 24th
& when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord wellTo bless them—he sought not enchantment or spell
But he turned to the wilderness loved in his youth
Where nature & God live in silence & truth
& Balaam he cast up his eyes & again
Saw Israel abideing in tents on the plain
& the spirit of God came upon him like dew
& his parable then did the prophet pursue
Balaam hath said the offspring of Beor
& the man whose eyes have been open'd saith here
Who heard in the words of the Lord & who saw
Visions of th'almighty in tremblings & awe
107
How goodly thy tents are O Jacob disposed
As beautifull valleys spread forth far & wide
As gardens like eden by th'rivers green side
As trees of lign aloes which God as the giver
Did plant—& as cedars beside the green river
He shall pour water out of his buckets—his seed
Shall be in the waters to flourish & speed
His king shall be higher then Agag in power
& his kingdom exalted in glory & dower
God brought him from Egypt—he hath as it were
The strength of a unicorn—terror & fear
Shall eat up the nations—his enemies all
Break their bones & with arrows pierced through they shall fall
He couched—he lay down as a lion at lair
As a great lion who shall compeat with him there
He who so blesseth Gods people is blest
& cursed is he who shall injure their rest
Then Balak being wrath with the Seer of the Lord
Smote both hands together in anger unawed
Saying I called thee to curse them through nations & climes
& behold thou hast blessed them three seperate times
Now flee thee therefore to thy place from this hour
I thought to promote thee to honour & power
But thy God keeps thee back from all honours desert
So flye to his refuge & quickly depart
Then Balaam to Balak spoke fearless in thrall
Did I not say to thy messengers all
If Balak would let me his riches behold
& give me his house full of silver & gold
I cannot so wrong the commands of the Lord
To do good or ill of my feeble accord
But what the Lord showeth me that will I seek
& what my God biddeth me that will I speak
108
Come & I'll show thee—then language more plain
What this people here which my blessings must praise
Shall do to thy people in strifes latter days
& he took up his parable justly & clear
Saying Balaam the prophet the offspring of Beor
Who fell in a trance & yet having his eyes
Open to visions that gleamed in the skies
Do I not speak the most high in my voice
Are they not the almighty's his chosen & choice
I shall see him anon but not now with my eyes
& I shall behold him anon but not nigh
Out of Jacob a star shall illumine the skies
A Sceptre from Israel shall flourish & rise
& smite all the corners of moab with strife
& destroy all the childern of Sheth to the life
& Edom shall be a possesion & Seir
Shall be a possesion for enemies near
& Israel shall do valiant deeds for their dower
Out of Jacob comes he with dominion & power
To destroy him that yet in the city remains
& prosper the freedom of mountains & plains
& when he had looked over Amaleck—he
Took up his parable justly & free
Amaleck first of all nations—the giver
Of life dooms thy end that thou perish forever
& he looked on the Kenites not caring to mock
Saying strong is thy place like a nest in the rock
Nevertheless Kenites shall fail in that day
109
& he took up his parable—nothing to miss
Alas who shall live when my God doeth this
Ships come from Chittim in islet & river
T'affect Ashur—& Ebor shall perish for ever
& Balaam arose to his place on that day
& Balak he also sojourned on his way
| The later poems of John Clare | |