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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SORROWS FOR A FRIEND |
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 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
SORROWS FOR A FRIEND
Ye brown old oaks that spread the silent woodHow sweet retire your stillnes us'd to be
Ah still—O! blest when wrapt in musing mood
But now Confusion suits the best to me
‘Is it for Love!’ the breezes seem to say
‘That you forsake our woodland silence here?
‘Is it for love’ you roam so far away
‘From these still shades you valu'd once so dear?’
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‘Love never could so much my bosom grieve.—
‘T[urni]ll my friend!—alas—so soon to die!
‘—O!—that's the grief which presses me to leave.
‘—Tho noise can't heal—it may some balm bestow
‘But silence wrankles in the wounds of Woe!’
| The early poems of John Clare | |