The later poems of John Clare 1837-1864 ... General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger |
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OH WHITHER FAIR MAIDEN |
The later poems of John Clare | ||
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OH WHITHER FAIR MAIDEN
1
Oh whither fair maiden so soon in the morningIn thy High Lows & stockings as black as a coal
Oh whither fair maiden in natures adorning
Thy face has bewitch'd me both body and soul
Im going to the village just over the tillage there
Where the weather cock shines i' the gleam o' the sun
Where the Jackdaws a choir build their nests i' the spire
As soon as the Spring has its season begun
2
We pass'd the pale primrose beneath the wild BriarThe sunbeams were playing in the arc of the sky
The sweet smelling violet we stopped to admire
That blossommed beneath every hedge we pass'd by
Behind and before me I looked all around
I saw no one near when I kiss'd her red cheek
About her white neck I both my arms wound
When she blush'd like a fire & was ready to speak
3
The lace work o' spiders was beaded wi pearlThe leaves of the clover were silvered wi' dew
Where I took the white hand o' the innocent girl
And led her the field and the spinney quite through
The nuthatches ran down the bark o' the trees
Ring Doves in the Ivy sat still in their nest
And round the wet wild flow'rs whining round were the bees
All choosing those blossoms which suited them best
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4
Neath ribb'd maple stovens sweet lies the blue bellAnd Harrietts bosom bent low to the ground
To crop two or three as she liked them so well
How pleasantly fair all the scenery round
In Sight o' the Cottage we sat on the stile
Where I kiss'd her sweet lips in a thrill o' delight
I had to return agen two or three mile
But I promised at parting to meet her that night
The later poems of John Clare | ||