University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
The early poems of John Clare

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

expand sectionI. 
expand sectionII. 

WIDOWERS LAMENT (b)

Age yellows my leaf with a daily decline
& nature turns sick wi decay
Short is the thread on lifes spool that is mine
& few are my wishes to stay
The bud that has seen but the sun of an hour
When storms overtake it may sigh
But fruit that has weatherd lifes sunshine & shower
Drops easy & gladly to dye

391

The prop of my age & the balm of my pain
Wi the length of lifes years has declind
& like the last sheep of the f[l]ock on the plain
She leaves me uneasy behind
I think of the days when our hearts they was one
& she of my youth was the pride
I look for the prop of my age—but its gone
& I long to drop down by her side