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The later poems of John Clare

1837-1864 ... General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger

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A HEALTH TO ALL PRETTY GIRLS

Here's a health to all the pretty girls that dwell about Dundee
And luck to all the spicey pearls Boys loving drops like me
For priestcraft I the halter hing For freedom mints o gold
For honest men ‘God save the King’ May warm hearts ne'er grow cold

765

Here's [to] a the honest lasses too That round [the] wrekin be
May love be a' their lives pursue Their persons fond and free
No matter in what Town I dwell Or what the hour I dine
I drink the 'ealth to please my sell And that's to forty nine
To forty nine young happy girls I drink love peace and joy
With eyes O light and teeth o pearls May none their blooms destroy
I' rum and whiskey swats o wine I cider mead or beer
I drink to these as only mine And woman every where