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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HAD WE NE'ER LOVED |
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 | The later poems of John Clare |  |
HAD WE NE'ER LOVED
O had we ne'er looed one anither
We had neer been curs'd togither
Never shunned and never hated
Had we never been created
We had neer been curs'd togither
Never shunned and never hated
Had we never been created
Woman in her own true nature
Is a fair and lovely creature
Man a savage from the wild
But when loved a very child
Is a fair and lovely creature
Man a savage from the wild
But when loved a very child
Had they ne'er been put togither
They'd ne'er slighted ane anither
Rift and scar[r]ed like clouds o' thunder
Now they're lost and lone asunder
They'd ne'er slighted ane anither
Rift and scar[r]ed like clouds o' thunder
Now they're lost and lone asunder
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Lost in crowds and lone togither
Love says love ye one anither
Love's anither name for sorrow
Which from hate we often borrow
Love says love ye one anither
Love's anither name for sorrow
Which from hate we often borrow
Our friends slight us in loves tether
Thus are hundreds join'd together
Love betrayed and passion slighted
Would they had not been united
Thus are hundreds join'd together
Love betrayed and passion slighted
Would they had not been united
Parted—keeps the bosom aching
Meeting keeps the heart from breaking
When will earths sin be forgiven
That is only known in Heaven
Meeting keeps the heart from breaking
When will earths sin be forgiven
That is only known in Heaven
| The later poems of John Clare | |