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
Clare, John (1793-1864)

expand sectionI. 
Volume I
expand sectionII. 
Volume II

collapse section Collapse All | Expand All expand section
previous section The early poems of John Clare
next section

HOPE

This world has suns but they are overcast
This world has sweets but theyre of lingering bloom
Life still expects & empty falls at last
Warm Hopes on tiptoe drops into the tomb
494

Lifes journeys rough—hope seeks a smoother way
& dwells on fancys which tomorrows see
Tomorrows come—true copys of today
& empty shadows of what is to be
Yet cheated hopes on future still depends
& ends but only when our living ends
I long have hopd & still shall hope the best
Till heedless weeds are scrambling over me
& hopes & ashes both together rest
At journeys end with them that cease to be
previous section The early poems of John Clare
next section