The early poems of John Clare 1804-1822: General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger |
 | I. |
| II. |
 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
BALLAD
[Gi me the life of the Villager man]
Gi me the life of the Villager man
His whol' stock o treasure his health
His life & his labour shall fill up my span
& a fig for the world & its wealth
His whol' stock o treasure his health
His life & his labour shall fill up my span
& a fig for the world & its wealth
Tho rich men ha comforts we cant be denying
Still gi them the praise they deserve
When fate frowns & gi's the coin wings to be flying
They cant stoop to work but mun starve
Then gi' &c
Still gi them the praise they deserve
When fate frowns & gi's the coin wings to be flying
They cant stoop to work but mun starve
Then gi' &c
The Kings on their thrones be as blest as they may be
Theyre oft known to sit upon thorns
& as oft the rich booby wis fat lusty lady
Meets anguish in budding o horns
So gi' &c
Theyre oft known to sit upon thorns
& as oft the rich booby wis fat lusty lady
Meets anguish in budding o horns
So gi' &c
| The early poems of John Clare | |