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 |  |
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JOYS OF YOUTH
How pleasing simplest recollections seemNow summer comes it warms me to look back
In the sweet happiness of youths wild track
Varied & fleeting as a summer dream
Here have I pausd upon the sweeping rack
That specks like wool flocks thro the purple skye
Here have I carless stooped down to catch
The meadow flower that entertaind my eye
& as the butterflye went wirring bye
How anxious for its settling did I watch
& oft long purples on the waters brink
Have tempted me to wade in spite of fate
To pluck the flowers—Oh to look back & think
—What pleasing pains such simple joys create
| The early poems of John Clare | |