The early poems of John Clare :: :: University of Virginia Library

The early poems of John Clare

1804-1822: General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger

Clare, John (1793-1864)

Volume I

Poems Descriptive of Rural Life and Scenery and other poems

SUMMER EVENING

SOMTHING NEW

[No hailing curry favouring tothers]

ON MR --- LOCKING UP THE PUBLIC PUMP

LINES WRITTEN WHILE VIEWING SOME REMAINS OF AN HUMAN BODY IN LOLHAM LANE

LINES TO BATH

THE FLOWER POTT

FAREWELL TO A THICKETT

ROBIN AND SUKE

THE INVOCATION

[I dreamd & even think I see him now]

THE GIPSIES EVENING BLAZE

EPIGRAM ON ROME

TO MRS ANNA ADCOCK AUTHOR OF ‘COTTAGE POEMS’

SUN-RISING IN SEPTEMBER

SONG

ON HOPE

A MAIDEN-HAID

[Hail England old England my Country & home]

WONDER!!! IF A WOMAN KEEPS A SECRET

[Behind the far woods lowly sunk was the sun]

THE PISMIRE

SONG

[Souls so distrest no comfort never knows]

SONG

THE WISH

[How welcome & sweet is springs infant dawning]

EDWARD'S GRAVE

MY LAST SHILLING

[How lovly the thorn in the newly laid hedges]

LINES ON WELLINGTON

TO THE MEMORY OF JAMES MERRISHAW A VILLAGE SCHOOLMASTER

[O who can paint the anguish of the heart]

LOVE EPISTLES BETWEEN RICHARD AND KATE

Epistle 1st from Richard

Answer 1st from Kate

AN ANSWER TO M. L. A.

AN ACROUSTIC

SONG

A HUNT FOR DOBIN OR THE FORCE OF LOVE

ON A WITHER'D CROWFLOWER

A REPLY TO THE ENQUIREY ‘WHAT AILS YOU?’

SONG

ADRESS TO A LARK SINGING IN WINTER

TO THE WELLAND

LINES TO CHLOE

TO MR J. TURNILL

THE DISSAPOINTED MILKMAID

MY ROVER

A MOMENTS RAPTURE WHILE BEARING THE LOVLEY WEIGHT OF A. S---R---S

CHUBS REPLY

FRIEND LUBIN

A BEGGING ORPHANS ADDRESS TO A LADY

THE COUNTRY GIRL

A REPLY TO --- OF --- ON STYLEING HIS HUMBLE SERVNT A FOOL

SONG

IMPROMTU

ELEGY Humbly attempted (from the overflowing effusions of a feeling heart) to pay a small tribute of esteem and gratitude to the memory of my dear friend companion and schoolfellow R[ichard] T[urnill] who was suddenly cut off in his youthful days by the fatal depredations of the Tipus Fever

THE DEATH OF MYRTILLA

WRITTEN IN WESLEYS PHILOSOPHY

THE ROSE

A WINTER WISH

THE EAGLE AND THE CROW

TO AN APRIL DAISY

LOBIN CLOUTS SATIRICAL SOLLILOUQUY ON THE TIMES

UPON THE PLAIN

[O Charming bird thy melody so sweet]

ON LABOUR

[So gay in summer as thy boughs where drest]

A FAMILLIAR EPISTLE TO A FRIEND

TO JANE --- OF --- IN THE MANNER O' BURNS

THE SETTING SUN

THE DISSAPOINTMENT

[A Uglier mortal ne'er has been]

[Friend take my advise would you do yourself good]

A SIMILE

HELPSTONE

THE QUACK & THE COBLER

THE ‘RUINS OF DESPAIR’

EPITAPH ON A WOU'D-HAVE-BEEN-CHARITABLE-MAN

THE CRAFTY MAID

JOHN BUMKINS LUCY

LINES ON THE DEATH OF MRS BULLIMORE

EVENING

THE WOOD NIMPH'S PETITION

ON SEEING A LOST GREYHOUND IN WINTER LYING UPON THE SNOW IN THE FIELDS

WILLIAM AND SALLEY

SONG

WATERLOO

A PLOUGHMANS SKILL AT CLASSIFICATION AFTER THE LINEIAN ARRANGEMENT

TO THE WINDS

A SCHOOL BOYS WIT

[For her my youth in fruitles hopes decay]

[O worst of anguish in that aching heart]

THE NOSEGAY

[Thrice welcome to thy slumbering peace o Grave]

[O should these humble artles strains]

ADDRESS TO AN INSIGNIFICANT FLOWER OBSCURELY BLOOMING IN A LONELY WILD

THE LUCKLESS JOURNEY

[By lonesom Woods & Unfrequented Streams]

THE VILLAGE FUNERAL

THE LAMENTATIONS OF ROUND-OAK WATERS

ON DR TWOPENNY

[Towpenny his wisdom is & towpenny his fame is]

ALPINS HARP NEW STRUNG

TO A FAVOURITE TREE

[The humble flowers that buds upon the plain]

[To meet the Breeze that fand the trees her snowy breast was bear]

[Young Damon long lovd charming Bess of the vale]

DISSAPOINTMENT

[The crowing coks the morns for told]

[My Native Village Native Fields]

ON THE DEATH OF A SCOLD

AN IMITATION OF BURNS

[How oft (with hat pulld oer my eyes]

DEATH OF THE BRAVE

THE TRAVELLERS

[O riches from thy cruel scorning]

ON THE DEATH OF A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY

JEANNETTE

[When from this vain World my spiri[t] is Reli[e]ved]

THE ROBBINS

[Now spring returns with all her wonted charms]

[The dareing Bird that hardly shuns]

[The beauties of Myra in it[s] lustre now dawning]

THE FATE OF AMY

HAUNTED POND

[I wish that I was but a gay blushing rose]

[Young Nanceys William for a Sailor press'd]

[Young Damon for Delia Sighd]

ELEGY TO PITY

[‘O Death were is thy victory! O grave were is thy sting’]

SUPPOSD TO BE UTTERD BY WERTER AT THE CONCLUSION OF HIS LAST INTERVIEW WITH CHARLOTTE

NIGHT

THE MILLERS DAUGHTER

[The Rose & lilly blooms again]

NATIVE SCENES

DEATH OR VICTORY

[Ye spirits of the earth and air]

[Ive long been urgd friend for to write ye a Letter]

[No Chilling fears nor trembling alarms]

EPIGRAM

STANZAS ADDRESS'D TO M.C.M.

MYRA

HER I LOVE

[How blest is he—the happiest mortal known]

[Reader if undisguisd thou ownst a heart]

ADDRESS TO PLENTY IN WINTER

THE RESIGNATION

[Now spring returns with all the pleasing charms]

[O welcome to thy cheering light]

ON THE DEATH OF A QUACK

[O thrice lucky town (the more lucky poor creatu'rs)]

A FEW HINTS TO A MAIDEN

[Now the Summers in its prime]

[Shakspear the Glory of the English stage]

FALLING LEAVES

[Summer now its lustre shining]

[Yes Ra[l]ph Natures made you both clumbsy & stout]

EPITAPH ON MR C---LE WHO AFTER EXPERIENCING MISFORTUNES URG'D AT LAST BY DESPAIR PUT A PERIOD TO HIS EXISTENCE—

[So Christianitys enlivening light]

[One monday morning sour & loath]

[[The maid who] roams upon the plain]

[O beneath such raptures in my forgetfull heart]

EXPECTATION

[Crafty cats that were constantly fixt on the watch]

[Watching [in that chill spot] that wakend the gale]

[Just as mornings rosy lass]

PS: CL

JEAN BELL

[Others in mixt alteration doubly blest]

[This hill on which I rest me now]

[Spirit of the woods awake]

[I saw the girl just to my mind]

[Hobbling to labour by some pasture side]

TO AN OAKEN STEM

THE ADIEU

[Gee is thy name thou prating plodding creature]

[O freedom freedom sacred name]

PATTY

[O endless bright in life & light]

[The ]

A SEAT AT NOON

THE PAUSE BEFORE THE BATTLE

[The daises silver white]

[& ]

[Thou moon crazd man]

[Sweet sleep & peace good night]

SONG

THE AUTUMNAL MORNING

[When gentle even oer the wild scene creeping]

[& if friendship you would win it]

OLD JOHNNY & DOROTHY CANNING

OPENING OF THE MORNING

LIFE'S LIKENESSES (b)

A REFLECTION IN AUTUMN

THE SUPRISE

TO DAY THE FOX MUST DYE

ELEGY HASTILY COMPOSED & WRITTEN WITH A PENCIL ON THE SPOT IN THE RUINS OF PICKWORTH RUTLAND

NOON

‘YOU'LL NEVER CATCH ME THERE’

EARLY RISING

TO A ROSE BUD IN HUMBLE LIFE

THE UNIVERSAL EPITAPH

THE LOVERS MEETING

THE AUTHORS ADDRESS TO HIS BOOK

[O gentle star so placidly]

[Closly confind among humdruming wheels]

[Ye promisd me mary last michaelmas fair]

TO RELIGION

MIDNIGHT (a)

VERSES ON MIDNIGHT MADE DURING A JOURNEY (b)

DAWNING OF GENIUS

THE ANCIENT HEROE

[Lost on the wild to the Storms biting breath]

[Wants yet on every side as deep suround me]

[Violet—thou art a lovly blossom]

[Tis sweet to view as on we pass]

TO THE NIGHTINGALE

TO THE MEMORY OF JAMES MERRISHAW A VILLAGE SCHOOLMASTER

AN ACT OF CHARITY!!!

EPIGRAM ON LONDON

LUBIN & COLLIN

IMPROMTU ON THE BATTLE OF ALEXANDRIA IN EGYPT

[Mary I dare not call thee dear]

[‘Pink pink’ the bunting sings & picks its feather]

THE FAREWELL

SONNET ON THE RIVER GASH

TO MY OATEN REED

THE WAGTAILS DEATH & PITYS FEELINGS ON BABARITY

THE DISCOVERY

‘MY LOVE THOU ART A NOSEGAY SWEET’

[Fair grows the tree by the side of the fountain]

[Lost to all pleasures when pl[e]asure can please [me]]

[To stand the brunts of toil & stormy weather]

[Thy eye can witness more then others]

SONNET

[So now says he weegling how matters went wi im]

[Had they but got a haunch of bread]

[Full many troubles vext my hate]

[Shepherd why is this complaining]

TO REVD MR HOLLAND

[Not booted foplings when their cloaths misfit]

[The driving clouds in dark condension hung]

[Twas but a wild bramble that catchd at her gown]

[Man in that Age no rule but Reason knew]

[I Saw a Tree with Cheries Red]

[As I was walking out one Day]

[Thrice Welcome to thy song sweet warbling thrush]

[Beneath thies hedge how happy have I felt]

TO SUSAN ETHINNINGTON

TO A COLD BEAUTY, INSENSIBLE OF LOVE

[Ah doubtful bard perhaps in vain]

ADDRESS TO THE SLUGGARD

[On Saturday night she was strewing her sand]

SONG TAKEN FROM MY MOTHERS & FATHERS RECITATION & COMPLEATED BY AN OLD SHEPHERD

THE FOUNTAIN

TO HOPE

DOLLYS MISTAKE OR WAYS OF THE WAKE

VERSES WRITTEN ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER GWASH AT BRIDGE CASTERTON

THE BATTLE

[A pleasant path a little path]

[As hopes fair sun breaks fates desponding gloom]

SONG

[The hind that were chopping them up for his fire]

A SIMPLE EFFUSION ADDRESS'D TO MY LAME FATHER

AN EFFUSION TO POETRY

‘HOW D'YE DO & GOOD BYE’

[There was three ravens sat upon a tree]

II.

Volume II

The Village Minstrel and other poems

HOME

POVERTY

NARRATIVE VERSES WRITTEN AFTER AN EXCURSION FROM HELPSTON TO BURGHLEY PARK

THE WOOD-CUTTERS NIGHT SONG

IMPROMTU ON FINDING A BIRDS NEST

SHIPWRECKD GHOST

BALLAD

ADDRESS TO MY FATHER AFTER RECIEVING AN EASY CHAIR FROM THE RIGHT HON LADY—

SONNET

SONG

HOLLYWELL

DESCRIPTION OF A THUNDER STORM

AFTER READING IN A LETTER PROPOSALS FOR BUILDING A COTTAGE

TO CAPTAIN SHERWILL JUN.

TO A RED CLOVER BLOSSOM

TO A METHODIST PARSON AFTER HEARING HE HAD SPOKEN VERY ROUGHLY IN MY BELIEF OF GHOSTS &C

BALLAD

EXPRESSION

IMPROMTU AT THE SIGHT OF SPRING

Sports of the Village

WRITTEN IN APRIL AT WALK LODGE

RECCOLECTIONS AFTER A RAMBLE

SONG

MILTON HUNT

THE LABOURERS PASSING SIGH

[O why was love sent here to kill]

AN AFTER REPENTANCE

ROSEY JANE

TO ---

SORROWS FOR A FAVOURITE TABBY CAT WHO LEFT THIS SCENE OF TROUBLES FRIDAY NIGHT NOV. 26 1819

BALLAD

TO THE CLOUDS

TO A BOWER

AFTER HEARING A LADY SING ‘BANKS O' DOON’

AFTER READING A FLATTERING PRAISE ON THE GRAVE STONE OF AN OLD TRANSGRESSOR

WOMAN

TO A DEAD TREE

ON SEEING A PICTURE OF SACRED CONTEMPLATION

EVENING BELLS

TO POESY

ROBS TERRORS OF NIGHT OR COURTING ON ASS BACK (a)

THE LOVERS JOURNEY (b)

CHILDISH RECOLLECTIONS

AFTER A FINE WINTERS DAY

AFTER HEARING A LADY PLAY THE MUSICAL GLASSES

IN HELPSTONE CHURCH YARD

TO AN HOUR GLASS

THE REQUEST

TO MY MOTHER

AFTER HEARING RURAL RYHMES OF W.H. PRAISD BY A LADY

WRITTEN ON A BIRTHDAY 20 YEAR

RECOLLECTIONS AFTER AN EVENING WALK

TO ---

A SIGH IN A PLAY GROUND OF INFANCY

‘O SWEET IS LOVE’

SECOND ADRESS TO THE ROSE BUD IN HUMBLE LIFE

A LOOK AT THE HEAVENS

TO AN ANGRY BEE

JEWEL OF ALL

TO ---

& She Vowd She Woud Never Be Mine

TO A CITY GIRL

MAID OF WARE

SUMMER TINTS

[If beauty be fading it charmeth the heart]

TO AN EARLY BUTTERFLYE

TO AN INFANT DAUGHTER

IMITATION OF ‘SAD WAS THE HOUR’ &C &C

BALLAD

POOR SOLDIER

[O days of youth to me ye are so dear]

[Who that looks upon thee love]

SONNET

TO THE LASS OF THE VALLEY

BALLADS

DRINKING SONG

BALLAD

EXTEMPORE ON AN ALE WIFES OVER BOILD MEAT

THE LINGERING ROSE

[O I sings the top name of all salleys]

ANOTHER

LABOURERS SOLILOQUY ON DEAD DOBBIN

SONG

THE WILD FLOWER NOSGAY

TO LORD RADSTOCK

WOMAN

[Spring of life fare ye well I have tasted your sweetness]

[Learning may polish up love wi fine feelings]

[Thousands of miles have I gangd heavy hearted]

[No grandeur here wi affections shew]

[Loves recollections is like the spring morning]

IMPROMTU

SONG

[Turn again thou sweet beguiling]

NOON

[Give me the hour that puts to bed]

[Leave the door in peace man]

AUTUMN

[Springs flushing bud has opend into leaf]

[Steal my sweet bessy from racket & dancing]

BALLAD

[Three suns had gilt the cottage top]

[The spring has brought its blessing love]

[Blow on ye winds till yer breath it is broken]

SONG

THE IRISH EMIGRANT

[When I met wi her I coud wish for my own]

[& let pity find an odd penny good neeghbours]

[Ill neer walk at even Jim]

SONG

[Ye maidens that sunshine of beauty is warming]

[So soon in the morning, love were are ye toiling]

[O bonney lass of harrow lea]

A KISS

[Were woodbines are wreathing & zephers are breathing]

(a)

(b)

[Theres some with a bottle will rub off the thorn]

O SAY NOT LOVE

THE CRAZY MAID

[What power again bids grasses grow]

SONG

O LOVE

SPRING

[Scenes of sweet feelings ye trees & ye bushes]

SLIGHTED LOVES LAST ADDRESS TO HIS MISTRESS

[O nature thou art sweet I oft did steal]

MEADOWHAMSTEAD FAIR

[Theres not a pleasure half so blest]

TO THE MEMORY OF KEATS

ON ---

[Her cheeks did like the roseys glow]

THE LADY FLYE

MARTINMASS EVE

ADDRESS TO TIME

[I urge no muse new terrors to impart]

[The eve winds of autumn blow chilly & hollow]

[If one summers day ye will bid care adieu love]

[When dews pearl the blossom]

[Where on bridge wall or gate or trees smooth bark]

WINTER

HOPE

TO AUTUMN

[As lingers winter oer the forward spring]

[How eager does he eddy round]

BALLAD

SONG

[O even tide o even tide]

‘BUTTON CAP’

[Stingo white froathing oer the polisht can]

MY HAT

ADDRESS TO A COPY OF ‘CLARES POEMS’ SENT O. GILCHRIST ESQR

[To wish thee anguish worse then hell]

[Dear native spot though nought to thee is given]

RICH AND POOR; OR SAINT AND SINNER

[The balmy breathing of her voice that breaks]

[How dread insensible death seems to be]

[Thy smiles are dear to him that needs thy smiles]

[Lifes bud unseals in extacy & joy]

FRAGMENTS

[The brook from its fountain rock drop after drop]

[The joys of childhood are full thickly sown]

[Theres many heart acheth]

SPRING HAUNTS

TWO SONNETS TO MARY

[Thy beauty thro my life hath been]

[A rainbow paints yon deep blue cloud]

[How oft Ive lay tween waking & a dream]

[How many times with weary feet]

MEMORY

[Who does not feel the grand sublimity]

[I hate to see mans strength employd]

SONNET

A DEDICATION TO MARY

[[Aut]umn is beautiful to see]

[By twittering swallows we percieve]

[Oft in my earlier days of leisure]

SONNET

[Vision of days gone by your memory dances]

[Sweet blossoms of lifes happy spring]

SPRING

WINTER

THE FODDERING BOY

SCHOOL BOYS IN WINTER

AUTUMN SHOWERS

AUTUMN LANDSCAPE

AUTUMN

[As I wanderd oer the irish hills]

SICKNESS

THE LABOURERS HYMN (a)

THE REFORMERS HYMN (b)

TO THE IVY

WHATS BEAUTYS LOVE

TO AN INFANT SISTER IN HEAVEN

SONNET

A REFLECTION IN SUMMER

TO NATURE

SONG OF PRAISE

TO THE DEITY

ON SEEING PITT'S MONUMENT—

SOME ACCOUNT OF MY KIN, MY TALLENTS & MYSELF

ABSENCE

TO ---

RURAL MORNING

THE CROSS ROADS OR HAYMAKERS STORY

THE WIDOW OR CRESS GATHERER

Collapse All | Expand All expand section

‘O SWEET IS LOVE’

A Song

Meeting love—its namless joys
Looks expressing half they feel
Hearts fond flutter doating eyes
As in each others arms they steal
O sweet is love

Parting love its valued tear
Sighs unfol[d]ing all they feel
Soul breathd kisses trembling dear
As in each others arms they steal
O sweet is love