The early poems of John Clare 1804-1822: General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger |
 | I. |
|
|
| a. |
| b. |
| a. |
| b. |
‘YOU'LL NEVER CATCH ME THERE’
|
| a. |
| b. |
| II. |
|
| a. |
| b. |
| a. |
| b. |
| a. |
| b. |
| a. |
| b. |
| a. |
| b. |
 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
‘YOU'LL NEVER CATCH ME THERE’
A Ballad
Young Damon Wanton gay and wild
For Lucy feignd a Flame
The swain had many a maid beguild
And her he lovd the same
At first his love was urgd in vain
For she with scornful air
Would cry begone deluding swain
You'll never catch me there
For Lucy feignd a Flame
The swain had many a maid beguild
And her he lovd the same
At first his love was urgd in vain
For she with scornful air
Would cry begone deluding swain
You'll never catch me there
But he more close his prayers apply
And binds em with a vow
And then would heave a tender sigh
Will you believe me now
But still she scornful turnd aside
—And Foolish youth forbear
The haughty maid disdainful cried
You'll never catch me there
And binds em with a vow
And then would heave a tender sigh
Will you believe me now
408
—And Foolish youth forbear
The haughty maid disdainful cried
You'll never catch me there
Unwearied still—he sobd & sighd
And told his breaking heart
—Tormenting is the sexes pride
She gloried in the smart
And still she scornful turnd aside
—And silly swain for bear
The frowning maid in triumph cried
You'll never catch me there
And told his breaking heart
—Tormenting is the sexes pride
She gloried in the smart
And still she scornful turnd aside
—And silly swain for bear
The frowning maid in triumph cried
You'll never catch me there
Convincd he bid his sighs remove
And wipd his tears away
And talkd of nought but Wedded love
And begd to set the Day
The Wedding gown the Nots & Rings
—What Maiden could for bear
O tempting and deluding things
He fairly catchd her there
And wipd his tears away
And talkd of nought but Wedded love
And begd to set the Day
The Wedding gown the Nots & Rings
—What Maiden could for bear
O tempting and deluding things
He fairly catchd her there
Now lost to every Virgin sweet
That Won his heart before
The Shepherds conquest is compleat
He Wishes for no more
In vain the tear bedews her eye
To tell her jealous fear
To all he makes but this Reply
Your only catchd my Dear
That Won his heart before
The Shepherds conquest is compleat
He Wishes for no more
In vain the tear bedews her eye
To tell her jealous fear
To all he makes but this Reply
Your only catchd my Dear
409
In vain she begs him to be true
& save her from her shame
In vain his former vows Renew
The Wedding Day to Name
For ah to all he turnd aside
& Foolish maid forbear
The Swain Retalliating cried
You'll never catch me there
& save her from her shame
In vain his former vows Renew
The Wedding Day to Name
For ah to all he turnd aside
& Foolish maid forbear
The Swain Retalliating cried
You'll never catch me there
| The early poems of John Clare | |