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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SOMTHING NEW |
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 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
13
SOMTHING NEW
How varying is the taste of man
Still eager to pursue
That ever pleasing novelty
In meeting somthing new
Still eager to pursue
That ever pleasing novelty
In meeting somthing new
In infancy the rage begins
(So tempting is the view)
Babes throw aside their once lov'd things
To sigh for somthing new
(So tempting is the view)
Babes throw aside their once lov'd things
To sigh for somthing new
The hoop to day which boys are seen
So eager to pursue
To morrow lies a toy despis'd
Exchang'd for somthing new
So eager to pursue
To morrow lies a toy despis'd
Exchang'd for somthing new
Young miss's (if not catch'd in time)
—Be lovers ere so true
Grow fickle tires & turns 'em off
To seek for somthing new
—Be lovers ere so true
Grow fickle tires & turns 'em off
To seek for somthing new
Old maids whom every hope forsakes
The self same end pursue
& put their wrinkl'd mouths in form
To look for somthing new
The self same end pursue
& put their wrinkl'd mouths in form
To look for somthing new
14
E'en wives—but hasty muse for bear
(Tho wives shou'd have their due)
Will often harbour evil thoughts
& wish for somthing new
(Tho wives shou'd have their due)
Will often harbour evil thoughts
& wish for somthing new
Lawers & doctors each in turn
One common aim pursue
When one good job is finish'd they
Look out for somthing new
One common aim pursue
When one good job is finish'd they
Look out for somthing new
Poor victim poets vainly priz'd
By the diserning few
Still ryhme in hopes o' better days
& dwell on somthing new
By the diserning few
Still ryhme in hopes o' better days
& dwell on somthing new
—Ah shatter'd coat & wanted groat
When wil't be mine to view?
Thee thrown aside? & pockets lin'd
With hopefull somthing new
When wil't be mine to view?
Thee thrown aside? & pockets lin'd
With hopefull somthing new
—Booksellers often miss the chance
Their customers pursue
When throwing usless books about
They search for somthing new
Their customers pursue
When throwing usless books about
They search for somthing new
Tho fashions change with every day
Their votaries will pursue
Come as they will or fast or slow
They cry is ‘somthing new’
Their votaries will pursue
Come as they will or fast or slow
They cry is ‘somthing new’
So Gentlemen & ladies here
(In hopes to meet his due)
A humble clown exerts his skill
To offer somthing new
(In hopes to meet his due)
A humble clown exerts his skill
To offer somthing new
15
He wishes every taste to please
& hopes to find it true
So good or bad or what they will
This “Trifles'” somthing new
& hopes to find it true
So good or bad or what they will
This “Trifles'” somthing new
| The early poems of John Clare | |