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 |  |
THE REFORMERS HYMN (b)
Reformers of old England support a kingdoms claim
Nor leagued with cunning knavery grow infamous in fame
Dishonour not the land where proud freedoms rights was born
Nor let your boast of knowledge now be lost in utter scorn
Stand up & with the honest few a noble cause pursue
The sun itself doth blush at deeds that some reformers do
Our king he hoists his standard & the lion is his sign
& who would shame his colours in a mutiny to join
Nor leagued with cunning knavery grow infamous in fame
Dishonour not the land where proud freedoms rights was born
Nor let your boast of knowledge now be lost in utter scorn
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The sun itself doth blush at deeds that some reformers do
Our king he hoists his standard & the lion is his sign
& who would shame his colours in a mutiny to join
Hail ye tempting trickerys by tyrant hands unfurled
Who while they rave for liberty forge chains for all the world
Our king is freedoms pilot then muster at the helm
& stand against all wrongs that all rights would overwhelm
Prepare ye for the danger & the danger will be past
Though interest leaguing mutineers are watching at the mast
Our nationall reform of red white & blue
Is unfurled to the breeze & its motto is ‘the true’
Who while they rave for liberty forge chains for all the world
Our king is freedoms pilot then muster at the helm
& stand against all wrongs that all rights would overwhelm
Prepare ye for the danger & the danger will be past
Though interest leaguing mutineers are watching at the mast
Our nationall reform of red white & blue
Is unfurled to the breeze & its motto is ‘the true’
Our kings insulting enemies—are they the peoples friends
Do we think that freedoms tyrants will make her sons amends
Do we look or hope for any good that such reformers do
No no they hate the symbol whose motto is ‘the true’
Our hearts are all for peace & our lion is at lair
But knaves who would rouse him had better beware
While the king is on our side all his enemies we scorn
For the tares & the thistles will be weeded from the corn
Do we think that freedoms tyrants will make her sons amends
Do we look or hope for any good that such reformers do
No no they hate the symbol whose motto is ‘the true’
Our hearts are all for peace & our lion is at lair
But knaves who would rouse him had better beware
While the king is on our side all his enemies we scorn
For the tares & the thistles will be weeded from the corn
Our union shall baffle all our foes in the end
& our honesty erase all suspicions in a friend
Our freedom is our birth right & shall each pleading knave
Blind our enlightened reason that freedom to enslave
No—firesides shall be parliments our cottages be towers
Ere wrong shall cheat us of the rights our king declares as ours
Appealing to the people he makes their cause his own
& honesty & loyalty will rally round the throne
& our honesty erase all suspicions in a friend
Our freedom is our birth right & shall each pleading knave
Blind our enlightened reason that freedom to enslave
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Ere wrong shall cheat us of the rights our king declares as ours
Appealing to the people he makes their cause his own
& honesty & loyalty will rally round the throne
Self interest may plunge into dark mutiny
But thats no example for you or for me
We'll do no wrong to enemies to make ourselves amends
Deeds that disgrace our loyalty would injure all our friends
For honour is their pledge & if least their number be
The brook will run to rivers & the rivers flow a sea
& so reform shall flourish into oceans at the end
So heres success to england & every honest friend
But thats no example for you or for me
We'll do no wrong to enemies to make ourselves amends
Deeds that disgrace our loyalty would injure all our friends
For honour is their pledge & if least their number be
The brook will run to rivers & the rivers flow a sea
& so reform shall flourish into oceans at the end
So heres success to england & every honest friend
& heres a health to ministers for noble men they be
& to our king the sailor though the bumper flowed a sea
If our thirst could match our loyalty that ocean we would drain
& when reform is past & won we'll fill the bowl again
Our flag is englands union thats weathered wind & storm
So up & join the banner & your victorys ‘Reform’
For never did a king before such noble rights mentain
Then fill the bumper flowing oer—& heres his health again
& to our king the sailor though the bumper flowed a sea
If our thirst could match our loyalty that ocean we would drain
& when reform is past & won we'll fill the bowl again
Our flag is englands union thats weathered wind & storm
So up & join the banner & your victorys ‘Reform’
For never did a king before such noble rights mentain
Then fill the bumper flowing oer—& heres his health again
| The early poems of John Clare | |