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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[Oft in my earlier days of leisure] |
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 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
[Oft in my earlier days of leisure]
Oft in my earlier days of leisureI felt a mellancholly pleasure
To track the sun burnt heaths & plains
When summers dazzling glory wanes
When flowers had left the open walks
& nought appeard but rustling stalks
& those still lingering loath to fade
Are daily sinking in the shade
When orchard apple reddning mellow
& woodland branches sickening yellow
Proclaim the summers first decay
& autumn hastening on his way
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To ramble round the scenes at will
To rove the smoothly shaven meadow
Were fading summer like a widow
Bewails in silence heavy hearted
The pleasant din of days departed
When sweeping mowers late & soon
From sun rise to evens dewy moon
Toild cheerful oer its level ground
& whetting scythes kept tinkling round
When swain & maid in artless glee
Sung round the hayshock merrily
Mixing with grass hopper & bee
The summers soul of melody
So sweet that ecchos extacys
Murmurd their mirth in mild replys
Tho these are gone & in their stead
A silent scene around is spread
A russet level bleak & bare
With yellow blossoms here & there
Sickly smiling on the sun
As tho they wishd their end to shun
Till noontide bids their hopes be oer
& evens dews can heal no more
Then dropping in their grave the grass
They claim our pity as we pass
Tho no fond bee with cheering hum
To their lorn bosoms cares to come
Tho fled the din of scythes & men
& but a odd lark now & then
Starts from his lonly naked way
To hope & sing for summers stay
Yet wandering in these fields at will
I feel a saddend pleasure still
| The early poems of John Clare | |