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 |  |
MARTINMASS EVE
Far far away be that ungentle ear
From the rude scene the rural muse employs
That views their artless manners with a snear
& mocks as vulgar labours lowly joys
Who now sits happy wi their girls & boys
That do at martinmass from service throng
O silent be that venom that destroys
With scornful pride the harmless simple song
That tells the ways & freaks that to such ways belong
From the rude scene the rural muse employs
That views their artless manners with a snear
& mocks as vulgar labours lowly joys
480
That do at martinmass from service throng
O silent be that venom that destroys
With scornful pride the harmless simple song
That tells the ways & freaks that to such ways belong
Wi eager joy each to his home returns
Were from the door dames long their coming look
While to neglect the seed cake often burns
& boiling kettles simmer on the hook—
From each fireside the humming wheel is took
& rags for patching up are cleard away
All family conscerns are now forsook
Both old & young are merry now & gay
& keep at Martinmass a rustic holiday
Were from the door dames long their coming look
While to neglect the seed cake often burns
& boiling kettles simmer on the hook—
From each fireside the humming wheel is took
& rags for patching up are cleard away
All family conscerns are now forsook
Both old & young are merry now & gay
& keep at Martinmass a rustic holiday
The old men take their pipes & puffs away
& as their gues[t]s comes dropping in a pace
Listens wi pride at what they have to say
Advance of wages at the future place
& like old men wi lengthend serious face
Tell how to save their money they will strive
The father judges as is just the case
That their intention is ere long to wive
& gis his legacy in wishing they may thrive
& as their gues[t]s comes dropping in a pace
Listens wi pride at what they have to say
Advance of wages at the future place
481
Tell how to save their money they will strive
The father judges as is just the case
That their intention is ere long to wive
& gis his legacy in wishing they may thrive
Nor long they keep their matters in the dark
But who they anker after soon confess
The mother then thinks proper to remark
That early marriage hastens on distress
By 'creasing familys—but neer the less
Leaves em to take their choice—still as a friend
Warns em gen noodles that love more to dress
Then sit a stocking or a shirt to mend
As such like things woud stroy all they can rap & rend
But who they anker after soon confess
The mother then thinks proper to remark
That early marriage hastens on distress
By 'creasing familys—but neer the less
Leaves em to take their choice—still as a friend
Warns em gen noodles that love more to dress
Then sit a stocking or a shirt to mend
As such like things woud stroy all they can rap & rend
Her girls the while by libertys they take
In bringing sweethearts who rebukings fear
As dames makes tea & hands around the cake
Fuss many canting stories in her ear
To urge the strangers welcome to her cheer
Making believe what usfull parts theyd taen
That more then light love 'ticd em to appear
Lugging home boxes that behind might laen
Had they not been so kind as brought em home again
In bringing sweethearts who rebukings fear
As dames makes tea & hands around the cake
Fuss many canting stories in her ear
To urge the strangers welcome to her cheer
Making believe what usfull parts theyd taen
That more then light love 'ticd em to appear
Lugging home boxes that behind might laen
Had they not been so kind as brought em home again
Others more late oer taken in the night
By safer means the dames good humour wins
Wi mirey roads & many a woeful plight
Soon as they enter re[a]dily begins
& shows how theyre near battld to their chins
& had not partners helpd em on their way
How theyd bin lost as sure as pins is pins
Who cleans their shoes without in wishd delay
Sneaking behind till known what the old folks will say
By safer means the dames good humour wins
Wi mirey roads & many a woeful plight
Soon as they enter re[a]dily begins
482
& had not partners helpd em on their way
How theyd bin lost as sure as pins is pins
Who cleans their shoes without in wishd delay
Sneaking behind till known what the old folks will say
At length alls right & every hearts at rest
The tea is done & things are set aside
& from the purses of each moneyd guest
The shillings humble lowance to provide
Each daughter simpers wi a joyous pride
To find her sweetheart is no churlish swain
& soon wis drop the father is supplyd
Whos cheeks gin redden wi the crimson stain
& soon his spirits rise & he gins talk amain
The tea is done & things are set aside
& from the purses of each moneyd guest
The shillings humble lowance to provide
Each daughter simpers wi a joyous pride
To find her sweetheart is no churlish swain
& soon wis drop the father is supplyd
Whos cheeks gin redden wi the crimson stain
& soon his spirits rise & he gins talk amain
& soon the beer gins loosen every tongue
His chair each stranger edges nigher in
Nor longer shamd when bidden sings his song
& ventures chuck his lassey neath the chin
& to her parents crack about his kin
What they can give him when wi service done
In marriage matters he intends begin
Who think their daughters no bad luck has won
& kindly drinks the health of each intended son
His chair each stranger edges nigher in
Nor longer shamd when bidden sings his song
& ventures chuck his lassey neath the chin
& to her parents crack about his kin
What they can give him when wi service done
In marriage matters he intends begin
Who think their daughters no bad luck has won
& kindly drinks the health of each intended son
Some telling how that providence had blest
Wi little family their parents lot
& how to strive theyd ever done their best
Their warey father being no sensless sot—
Some cracking proudly what their friends had got
How they their fat hogs never faild to kill
& treat wi' home brew'd stingo or what not
Their friends at merry christmass to their fill
& boild their corner chine let times be as they will
Wi little family their parents lot
& how to strive theyd ever done their best
Their warey father being no sensless sot—
483
How they their fat hogs never faild to kill
& treat wi' home brew'd stingo or what not
Their friends at merry christmass to their fill
& boild their corner chine let times be as they will
& as the pastime of the night is come
Some smokes some sings some deals the cards about
As every bosom feels itself at home
Each does as suits him best—& from the rout
Wi beckoning looks the lovers slinketh out
Or seeks the nook were darkness lends a screen
Nor does the old folks longer have a doubt
That their new commers harmfull roguries mean
So leaves em at their will to kiss & toy unseen
Some smokes some sings some deals the cards about
As every bosom feels itself at home
Each does as suits him best—& from the rout
Wi beckoning looks the lovers slinketh out
Or seeks the nook were darkness lends a screen
Nor does the old folks longer have a doubt
That their new commers harmfull roguries mean
So leaves em at their will to kiss & toy unseen
Their own boys braggings din their fathers ear
To gain his worthy praise what they can do
& what theyve learned in the last gone year
How they can take all jobs the season thro'
& plough & sow—he gis the 'plauses due
& dryly smiling bids em turn & see
What wonderous changes time has brought to view
Sin they wi him had stodgling us'd to be
Unable then to work & scarce so highs his knee
To gain his worthy praise what they can do
& what theyve learned in the last gone year
How they can take all jobs the season thro'
& plough & sow—he gis the 'plauses due
& dryly smiling bids em turn & see
What wonderous changes time has brought to view
Sin they wi him had stodgling us'd to be
Unable then to work & scarce so highs his knee
484
Aye they all 'member well such happy days
& trifles tell that once had powers to please
Counting the names of favourd sports & plays
& how for nests they clamberd up the trees
& chased harmless butterflyes & bees
As they afield their fathers dinner took
& how when mowing on the meadow leas
He sent em fill his bottle from the brook
Were they in dabbling sport their errands oft forsook
& trifles tell that once had powers to please
Counting the names of favourd sports & plays
& how for nests they clamberd up the trees
& chased harmless butterflyes & bees
As they afield their fathers dinner took
& how when mowing on the meadow leas
He sent em fill his bottle from the brook
Were they in dabbling sport their errands oft forsook
& then he begs em for his heart is warm
Theyll not forsake him as his head grows grey
When worn too weak his labours to perform
He meets the parish for his weekly pay
As hes done much for them—altho they may
Get better cloahs then he coud 'ford to buy
& more of plenty—yet he'd bound to say
A better friend then him they neer came high
To which they one & all most readily comply
Theyll not forsake him as his head grows grey
When worn too weak his labours to perform
He meets the parish for his weekly pay
As hes done much for them—altho they may
Get better cloahs then he coud 'ford to buy
& more of plenty—yet he'd bound to say
A better friend then him they neer came high
To which they one & all most readily comply
& 'fore they shun him sooner shall the sun
Forget his rising & his setting hour
Then they look oer what he for them has done
Or fail to 'turn it when they have the power—
& his old cloahs thread bare to wind & shower
Een makes em now their gratitude pursue
& ere ins mug he gins the ale to pour
To drink the blessing—every purse is drew
To remedy his need & purchase garments new
Forget his rising & his setting hour
Then they look oer what he for them has done
Or fail to 'turn it when they have the power—
& his old cloahs thread bare to wind & shower
Een makes em now their gratitude pursue
& ere ins mug he gins the ale to pour
To drink the blessing—every purse is drew
To remedy his need & purchase garments new
485
& here the muse might put her bonnet bye
& in her apron lay her reed at rest
& her rush bottomd chair be hitching nigh
To be an hour the rude assemblys guest
Each rude recited tale & simple jest
To listen to that fails not them to please
Or urge the laugh—if patience she possest
To bear the rudness of such tribes as these
Wild as were those of old housd neath their forest trees
& in her apron lay her reed at rest
& her rush bottomd chair be hitching nigh
To be an hour the rude assemblys guest
Each rude recited tale & simple jest
To listen to that fails not them to please
Or urge the laugh—if patience she possest
To bear the rudness of such tribes as these
Wild as were those of old housd neath their forest trees
Some joking humourous oer the funning pranks
Which they at last years statute chancd to view
As how while listning to the mountebanks
Some poor old dame the crowd was crushing thro
& lost her stick & scapd wi much ado
Laming her foot whose cure she sought to know
By seeking salve the quack held out to view
That made all corns as soon as touchd to go
& curd the very plague as easy as a toe
Which they at last years statute chancd to view
As how while listning to the mountebanks
Some poor old dame the crowd was crushing thro
& lost her stick & scapd wi much ado
Laming her foot whose cure she sought to know
By seeking salve the quack held out to view
That made all corns as soon as touchd to go
& curd the very plague as easy as a toe
Some telling fears which night brought on apace
As they near darklings came by break neck hill
Which passd when childern as an haunted place
& sure enough they thought old labourer will
Despisd his grave & kept his station still
Just were he tumbld from the load & dyd
Saying as how their very blood ran chill
Till 'proaching nearer to't they haply spyd
Twas but an old white cow close by the hedgrow side
As they near darklings came by break neck hill
Which passd when childern as an haunted place
& sure enough they thought old labourer will
Despisd his grave & kept his station still
Just were he tumbld from the load & dyd
Saying as how their very blood ran chill
Till 'proaching nearer to't they haply spyd
Twas but an old white cow close by the hedgrow side
Others discoursing on their last gone year
What teazing work they had to wittle thro
How worse then water was the groutish beer
& as to cheeses—'cept when nearly new
So hard the hatchet scarce coud cleave in two
& tough old backon—fatted brawn or sow
& barley bannock often mouldy thro
& poor bad horses theyd near known till now
More fit by half fors Lordships dogs then plough
What teazing work they had to wittle thro
How worse then water was the groutish beer
& as to cheeses—'cept when nearly new
486
& tough old backon—fatted brawn or sow
& barley bannock often mouldy thro
& poor bad horses theyd near known till now
More fit by half fors Lordships dogs then plough
& thus they prate their father half asleep
Who for his heart & soul tho tryd & feign
Unusual hours awaken cannot keep
Unmeaning hums he turns each jogging swain
Tries puff his pipe—& dozes oert again
Till all around him sees hes done his best
& from entreaties further does refrain
The old dame potters out to call the rest
& supper gins prepare & welcomes every guest
Who for his heart & soul tho tryd & feign
Unusual hours awaken cannot keep
Unmeaning hums he turns each jogging swain
Tries puff his pipe—& dozes oert again
Till all around him sees hes done his best
& from entreaties further does refrain
The old dame potters out to call the rest
& supper gins prepare & welcomes every guest
Their darkling joys each juggling couple leaves
& to the humble banquet hustle down
Telling as how while staning neath the eaves
They heard the rantings of some drunken clown
& fiddles somwere scraping in the town
& gis it out a dancing there must be
& each lass 'grees to slip on better gown
& after supper take a walk & see
Wi their admiring swains to keep em company
& to the humble banquet hustle down
Telling as how while staning neath the eaves
They heard the rantings of some drunken clown
& fiddles somwere scraping in the town
& gis it out a dancing there must be
& each lass 'grees to slip on better gown
& after supper take a walk & see
Wi their admiring swains to keep em company
While one in dumps broods on the corner stool
Their elder daughter doomd to worst of fate
Who made one slip in love & playd the fool
&s since condemnd to live without a mate
No youth again courts once beguiled kate
Tho hopes of sweethearts still perplex her head
& charm to try by gipseys told of late
From table slives unseen an onion red
To dream at martinmass with whom she is to wed
Their elder daughter doomd to worst of fate
Who made one slip in love & playd the fool
&s since condemnd to live without a mate
487
Tho hopes of sweethearts still perplex her head
& charm to try by gipseys told of late
From table slives unseen an onion red
To dream at martinmass with whom she is to wed
& as the shadowd shifting joys of hope
Is all the comfort kit can call to mind
When for the dancing sports the rest elope
She wi the old folks patient stays behind
To bed retiring full of hopes to find
The charm succeed—till the returning day
Proves gipseys wisdom empty as the wind
& all her hopes & money thrown away
Leaving her blighted youth to wither & decay
Is all the comfort kit can call to mind
When for the dancing sports the rest elope
She wi the old folks patient stays behind
To bed retiring full of hopes to find
The charm succeed—till the returning day
Proves gipseys wisdom empty as the wind
& all her hopes & money thrown away
Leaving her blighted youth to wither & decay
| The early poems of John Clare | |