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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SONG OF PRAISE
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 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
602
SONG OF PRAISE
Imitation of the 148 Psalm
Warm into praises kindling muse
& raptures in thy theme infuse
That moves this earthly ball
That wirls in silent harmony
The Earth the Ocean air & Sky
To praise the Lord of all
& raptures in thy theme infuse
That moves this earthly ball
That wirls in silent harmony
The Earth the Ocean air & Sky
To praise the Lord of all
Ye angels hymning round you[r] king
Praise him who gives you power to sing
Ye hosts in raptures burn
Who stationd you in bliss acclaim
O bless your benefactors name
Betokening kind return
Praise him who gives you power to sing
Ye hosts in raptures burn
Who stationd you in bliss acclaim
O bless your benefactors name
Betokening kind return
Ye spreading heavens arching high
Ye scenes unknown beyond the sky
Creations maker own
Let there be light your ruler said
& instant your blue curtain spread
In triumph round his throne
Ye scenes unknown beyond the sky
Creations maker own
Let there be light your ruler said
& instant your blue curtain spread
In triumph round his throne
603
Thou moon meek guardian of the night
Ye planets of inferiour light
Ye lamps of rays divine
Ye suns dart forth your splendid rays
To him who met[e]s your nights & days
& suffers you to shine
Ye planets of inferiour light
Ye lamps of rays divine
Ye suns dart forth your splendid rays
To him who met[e]s your nights & days
& suffers you to shine
O praise him air & life & light
Eternal depths & heavens height
Triumphing faith acclaim
As finishd by his powerful hand
As firm as lasting shall you stand
Your rest & peace the same
Eternal depths & heavens height
Triumphing faith acclaim
As finishd by his powerful hand
As firm as lasting shall you stand
Your rest & peace the same
O praise his name his mercy bless
Ye poor like me—in whelmd distress
O hail protection given
When sin & sorrow dies away
Our hopes his promise still shall stay
Of Recompensing heaven
Ye poor like me—in whelmd distress
O hail protection given
When sin & sorrow dies away
Our hopes his promise still shall stay
Of Recompensing heaven
Thunders that fright the trembling ground
Ye forked lightnings flashing round
While quenchd in whelming shower
While skys in vollied rolls are rent
While pausing nature silent bent
Adores almighty power
Ye forked lightnings flashing round
While quenchd in whelming shower
While skys in vollied rolls are rent
While pausing nature silent bent
Adores almighty power
604
Ye minstrel birds wild woodland charms
Whose songs each child of nature warms
That your lovd haunts pursue
From him you borrowd every note
Then open wide your chaunting throat
To give the tribute due
Whose songs each child of nature warms
That your lovd haunts pursue
From him you borrowd every note
Then open wide your chaunting throat
To give the tribute due
Misshapen germs of parent earth
Waiting the suns dependant birth
His all enlivening rays
Emerging from your silent tomb
To join the hailing miriads come
& kindle into praise
Waiting the suns dependant birth
His all enlivening rays
Emerging from your silent tomb
To join the hailing miriads come
& kindle into praise
Bowing adorers of the gale
Ye cowslips delicatly pale
Upraise your loaded stems
Unfold your cups in splendour speak
Who deckt you in that ruddy streak
& gilt your golden gems
Ye cowslips delicatly pale
Upraise your loaded stems
Unfold your cups in splendour speak
Who deckt you in that ruddy streak
& gilt your golden gems
Violets sweet tennants of the shade
In purples richest pride aray'd
Your errand here fulfill
Go bid the artists' simple stain
Your lustre imitate in vain
& match your makers skill
In purples richest pride aray'd
Your errand here fulfill
Go bid the artists' simple stain
Your lustre imitate in vain
& match your makers skill
Daiseys ye flowers of lowly birth
Embroiderers of the carpet earth
That stud the velvet sod
Open to springs refreshing air
In sweetest smiling bloom declare
Your maker & my god
Embroiderers of the carpet earth
That stud the velvet sod
Open to springs refreshing air
In sweetest smiling bloom declare
Your maker & my god
605
Thou humble cloathing of the trees
Moss!—in whose meaness genius sees
A world of wonders shine
Put on your sattin smoothening green
& let your makers power be seen
& workmanship divine
Moss!—in whose meaness genius sees
A world of wonders shine
Put on your sattin smoothening green
& let your makers power be seen
& workmanship divine
Creations universal round
That beat the air or press the ground
Or plough the seas the same
All joind in chorusing accord
Exalt your maker & your Lord
& praise his holy name
That beat the air or press the ground
Or plough the seas the same
All joind in chorusing accord
Exalt your maker & your Lord
& praise his holy name
Till oer this sin consuming world
Destructions fated doom is hurld
& ruins self decays
Then freed from sin & adams fall
All join & hail him lord of all
In everlasting praise
Destructions fated doom is hurld
& ruins self decays
Then freed from sin & adams fall
All join & hail him lord of all
In everlasting praise
| The early poems of John Clare | |