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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TO THE IVY |
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 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
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TO THE IVY
Dark creeping Ivy with thy berries brownThat fondly twists on ruins all thine own
Old spire points studding with a leafy crown
Which every minute threatens to dethrone
With fearful eye I view thy height sublime
& oft with quicker step retreat from thence
Where thou in weak defiance strives with time
& holds his weapons in a dread suspense
But bloom of ruins thou art sweet to me
When far from dangers way thy gloomy pride
Wreaths picturesque around some ancient tree
That bows his branches by some fountain side
Then sweet it is from summer suns to be
With thy green darkness overshadowing me
| The early poems of John Clare | |