The early poems of John Clare 1804-1822: General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger |
 | I. |
|
SONG
|
|
| a. |
| b. |
| a. |
| b. |
| a. |
| b. |
| II. |
|
| a. |
| b. |
| a. |
| b. |
| a. |
| b. |
| a. |
| b. |
| a. |
| b. |
 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
41
SONG
[Fast by a Brook beneath a bending willow]
Fast by a Brook beneath a bending willow
Where shrubs surounding in a roomy glade
While yellow king cups form'd a golden pillow
Seeming retirement! blest with cooling shade.
Where shrubs surounding in a roomy glade
While yellow king cups form'd a golden pillow
Seeming retirement! blest with cooling shade.
To shun the heat fair Florimella came
Nor thought what harm such lonley shades might bring
But carlesly lay down—and soon her flame
Was lulld to slumber by the purling spring.
Nor thought what harm such lonley shades might bring
But carlesly lay down—and soon her flame
Was lulld to slumber by the purling spring.
Without the bower her crook neglected lay
While favorite Rover tended it so true
These where the only things that did betray
For Collin saw them and away he flew!
While favorite Rover tended it so true
These where the only things that did betray
For Collin saw them and away he flew!
Void of all fear he sought her snowey charms
Where a loose robe display'd her panting breast
Eager he claspt her in his clownish arms
And soon his longing wickedness had rest.
Where a loose robe display'd her panting breast
Eager he claspt her in his clownish arms
And soon his longing wickedness had rest.
She tho unconscious of her undone fate
Startled suppris'd from feelings new begun
Alas! poor girl her slumbers broke too late
Since virgin sweetnes Beautys all was gone!
Startled suppris'd from feelings new begun
Alas! poor girl her slumbers broke too late
Since virgin sweetnes Beautys all was gone!
Be this a Caution then to all fair maids
That still can boast their maidenheads so pure
Nor trust like florimel to sleep in shades
However seeming lonley or secure!
That still can boast their maidenheads so pure
Nor trust like florimel to sleep in shades
However seeming lonley or secure!
| The early poems of John Clare | |