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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ON THE DEATH OF A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY
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 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
262
ON THE DEATH OF A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY
A Fragment
Ye meaner beauties cease your pride
Where borrow'd Charms adorn
Here nature need of art defy'd
& blossom'd all its own
Where borrow'd Charms adorn
Here nature need of art defy'd
& blossom'd all its own
The rose your paint but idly feigns
Bloom'd natures brightest dyes
The gems your wealthy pride sustains
Were natives of her eyes
Bloom'd natures brightest dyes
The gems your wealthy pride sustains
Were natives of her eyes
But what avails superior charms
To boast of when in power
Since subject to a thousand harms
They perish like a flower
To boast of when in power
Since subject to a thousand harms
They perish like a flower
Alas we've nought to boast of here
& less to make us proud
The brightest sun but rises clear
To set behind a Cloud
& less to make us proud
The brightest sun but rises clear
To set behind a Cloud
Those charms which every heart subdues
Must all their powers resign
—Those eyes like suns too bright to view
Have now forgot to shine
Must all their powers resign
—Those eyes like suns too bright to view
Have now forgot to shine
263
Such Beauties—so untimely fell
What mortal would be proud
The day return'd & found her well
But left her in her shroud
What mortal would be proud
The day return'd & found her well
But left her in her shroud
To day the blosom buds & blooms
But who a day can trust
Since the tomorrow when it comes
Condemns it to the dust
But who a day can trust
Since the tomorrow when it comes
Condemns it to the dust
| The early poems of John Clare | |