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 |  |
ELEGY Humbly attempted (from the overflowing effusions of a feeling heart) to pay a small tribute of esteem and gratitude to the memory of my dear friend companion and schoolfellow R[ichard] T[urnill] who was suddenly cut off in his youthful days by the fatal depredations of the Tipus Fever
Ah cruel death to Friendship such a foe
What fiend malicious could enforce thy power
Thus in an instant to impede the blow
Of budding hopes that rapt the finest flower.
What fiend malicious could enforce thy power
Thus in an instant to impede the blow
Of budding hopes that rapt the finest flower.
Did envy wrankling with her hollow eye
Point to thy victim as above her clan
Or did the angellic band from realms on high
Deem him more fit an Angel then a man.
Point to thy victim as above her clan
Or did the angellic band from realms on high
Deem him more fit an Angel then a man.
120
But what's enquirey now? that must be vain
Since his dear form (heartrending thought) is fled,
Since he's demanded from his native plain
To sleep unnotic'd with the silent dead.
Since his dear form (heartrending thought) is fled,
Since he's demanded from his native plain
To sleep unnotic'd with the silent dead.
O tortering to[r]ments like a flood ye swell
Oerbounding anguish and afflictive pain
To think of him who so untimley fell
Daily encreasing 'cause I mourn in vain.
Oerbounding anguish and afflictive pain
To think of him who so untimley fell
Daily encreasing 'cause I mourn in vain.
No couple sure throughout the world beside
In friendship so familliar could be found,
Friendship begun in childhoods earliest pride
Endearing more as Reason gained ground.
In friendship so familliar could be found,
Friendship begun in childhoods earliest pride
Endearing more as Reason gained ground.
Ah childish scenes which manhood has declin'd,
Ah trifling sports alike for ever fled
How your remembrance often brings to mind
My dear companion sleeping with the dead.
Ah trifling sports alike for ever fled
How your remembrance often brings to mind
My dear companion sleeping with the dead.
The village close and green for play renown'd,
The hedgerow bank where oft in searching ken
We both have crawl'd along the mossy ground
To hunt the snailhorn in his secret den.
The hedgerow bank where oft in searching ken
We both have crawl'd along the mossy ground
To hunt the snailhorn in his secret den.
The thymy seated hill, the hoof plod ground
Whose batterd surface ownd the marble ring,
The straggling bush where many a nest was found,
The shelterd hovel and the bathing spring.
Whose batterd surface ownd the marble ring,
The straggling bush where many a nest was found,
The shelterd hovel and the bathing spring.
The uncooth name employment once for life
Which still yon bridge within its arch retains,
Mishapen rudley by his artless knife
The only relic of his dear remains.
Which still yon bridge within its arch retains,
Mishapen rudley by his artless knife
The only relic of his dear remains.
(Oer whose unpolishd dints at eventide
(Pure seeming scene of emblematic woe)
The suns departing rays will faintly glide
‘And oer the whole a mournful lustre throw.’)
(Pure seeming scene of emblematic woe)
The suns departing rays will faintly glide
‘And oer the whole a mournful lustre throw.’)
121
These are the scenes which grieve me to behold;
Anon the wheat-field where the blue-cap grew,
With crimson corn-flowers and the yellow gould,
All which our youth would eagerly pursue.
Anon the wheat-field where the blue-cap grew,
With crimson corn-flowers and the yellow gould,
All which our youth would eagerly pursue.
These tell of other days with strength combind
Of all our sports so innoscently rude,
Which only serve to load my troubl'd mind
With added griefs on others still renew'd.
Of all our sports so innoscently rude,
Which only serve to load my troubl'd mind
With added griefs on others still renew'd.
Then cease remembrance since it's all in vain
To dwell on themes which nothing can restore
These days are past my collin's left the plain
And friends and kindred to return no more.
To dwell on themes which nothing can restore
These days are past my collin's left the plain
And friends and kindred to return no more.
And O his loss to kindred was severe
‘For in that heavn'ly youth for ever ends’
(What rarley does in riper age appear)
‘The best of sons, of brothers, and of friends.’
‘For in that heavn'ly youth for ever ends’
(What rarley does in riper age appear)
‘The best of sons, of brothers, and of friends.’
Adieu all goodnes centr'd in one piece
Adieu dear friend—and thee to find again
My hopes on that shall dwell and never cease
Till death reveals my endless joys or pain.
Adieu dear friend—and thee to find again
My hopes on that shall dwell and never cease
Till death reveals my endless joys or pain.
But the dear ties which love & Nature binds
And fond affection's heart adhereth too
These cruel death undissapointed finds
And these his hand is readiest to undo.
And fond affection's heart adhereth too
These cruel death undissapointed finds
And these his hand is readiest to undo.
Farewell companion of my early days
& while thy grave a brothers tears bedew
I'll not forget my tributary praise
To friendship sacred & to memory due.
& while thy grave a brothers tears bedew
I'll not forget my tributary praise
To friendship sacred & to memory due.
| The early poems of John Clare | |