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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EPITAPH ON A WOU'D-HAVE-BEEN-CHARITABLE-MAN
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 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
EPITAPH ON A WOU'D-HAVE-BEEN-CHARITABLE-MAN
But For Certain Reasons Which He So Wisley Explain'd
O what a blessing is the gift
To him that has a good foresight
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To him that has a good foresight
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Here lies a man of reason rare
Who had a foresight best of any
Who had enough and much to spare
Yet never gave a single penny
Who had a foresight best of any
Who had enough and much to spare
Yet never gave a single penny
His reasons was the people say
As he was mortal like to others
He knew he soon shou'd drop away
From his poor starving friends and brothers
As he was mortal like to others
He knew he soon shou'd drop away
From his poor starving friends and brothers
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And so if he unstrung his purse
He knew the missing o' him wou'd
Fret 'em and hurt 'em ten times worse
Then all his gifts wou'd do 'em good
He knew the missing o' him wou'd
Fret 'em and hurt 'em ten times worse
Then all his gifts wou'd do 'em good
O reasoning soul may he for this
He did foresee and plan so well
That th'poor his gifts should never miss
Near miss the devils gift o' h*ll
He did foresee and plan so well
That th'poor his gifts should never miss
Near miss the devils gift o' h*ll
| The early poems of John Clare | |