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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ELEGY TO PITY |
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 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
ELEGY TO PITY
O lovely Charming tender feeling maid
Known by the Name of Pity hither haste
Be my Companion thro' the summer shade
And stay my Partner in the wintry waste
Known by the Name of Pity hither haste
Be my Companion thro' the summer shade
And stay my Partner in the wintry waste
I ask and long to view thy comley mien
To press that Breast sweet heav'd wi' many a sigh
To kiss that cheek where tears are often seen
And what I ask thy Nature can't deny
To press that Breast sweet heav'd wi' many a sigh
To kiss that cheek where tears are often seen
And what I ask thy Nature can't deny
So come my Bride adornd with every grace
And with thy power well stop the pointed gun
And when fell murder looks upon thy face
His Heart will melt like Butter in the sun
And with thy power well stop the pointed gun
And when fell murder looks upon thy face
His Heart will melt like Butter in the sun
294
For o more sweet then Indies spicey gales
The Breeze from thee but scented with a sigh
And far more bright than Summers morning vales
Shines that bright Pearl which falls from either eye
The Breeze from thee but scented with a sigh
And far more bright than Summers morning vales
Shines that bright Pearl which falls from either eye
And first at home we'll search where mercy calls
And baulk the mouth of many a gapeing grave
And drive the Spiders from our garden walls
And weep for flies we came too late to save
And baulk the mouth of many a gapeing grave
And drive the Spiders from our garden walls
And weep for flies we came too late to save
And we will stop Grimmalkins murders too
No more shall they for Sparrows Lurk & watch
Nor shall the schoolboys as they us'd to go
In Murder bring a Ladder near my thatch
No more shall they for Sparrows Lurk & watch
Nor shall the schoolboys as they us'd to go
In Murder bring a Ladder near my thatch
Nor shall my window by young chubs be made
A slaughter shop to please his evil eye
And tho' they long & whine and make a trade
While in our house they shall not touch a flie
A slaughter shop to please his evil eye
And tho' they long & whine and make a trade
While in our house they shall not touch a flie
And every trap my finger shall unlatch
Which grissel sets with murder in her head
The poor unconsious little mice to catch
Which forc'd by hunger nibble at the bread
Which grissel sets with murder in her head
The poor unconsious little mice to catch
Which forc'd by hunger nibble at the bread
And if we're nigh when granny shells the peas
With joy I'll snatch the maggot from her sight
And slyley shakeing of her rotten cheese
With equal joy I'll save the fellons mite
With joy I'll snatch the maggot from her sight
And slyley shakeing of her rotten cheese
With equal joy I'll save the fellons mite
And blest with you I'll mourn for what you please
And where you like I'll ne'er disdain to call
Upstairs I'll gang & mourn the scores of fleas
Which Grissel kills & thinks no sin at all
And where you like I'll ne'er disdain to call
Upstairs I'll gang & mourn the scores of fleas
Which Grissel kills & thinks no sin at all
Nor will I ere in Duty bound neglect
To mourn with you the worst of Vermins Doom
To dying Lice I'll pay the same respect
When ere we visit Chloes dressing room
To mourn with you the worst of Vermins Doom
To dying Lice I'll pay the same respect
When ere we visit Chloes dressing room
295
And now my Charmer we at home have done
Wherever Mercey shall our aid require
Be it in Woods whose Briars resist the sun
I'll go and do whatever you desire
Wherever Mercey shall our aid require
Be it in Woods whose Briars resist the sun
I'll go and do whatever you desire
And when we wander o'er the dewey vales
From my Light tread the grass no bruise shall meet
And fear o' trampling on the worms & snails
I'll always look before I set my feet
From my Light tread the grass no bruise shall meet
And fear o' trampling on the worms & snails
I'll always look before I set my feet
And without asking what I've got to do
All I'll perform & never trouble thee
And this I hope will make my love seem true
Which realley is as true as true can be
All I'll perform & never trouble thee
And this I hope will make my love seem true
Which realley is as true as true can be
There while I tread as slow as foot can fall
My conscious heart the dewey grass shall view
Thoughtfull of Inscets so uncommon small
That would be drownded in a drop of dew
My conscious heart the dewey grass shall view
Thoughtfull of Inscets so uncommon small
That would be drownded in a drop of dew
| The early poems of John Clare | |