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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TO HEALTH |
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 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
TO HEALTH
Hail soothing balm—ye breezes blow
Ransack the flower and blossom'd tree
All, all your stolen gifts bestow
For health has granted all to me
Ransack the flower and blossom'd tree
All, all your stolen gifts bestow
For health has granted all to me
And may this blessing long be mine
May I thy favour still enjoy
Then never shall my heart repine
Nor yet thy long continuance cloy
May I thy favour still enjoy
Then never shall my heart repine
Nor yet thy long continuance cloy
And tho I cannot boast,—O! health
Of nothing else,—but only thee
I would not change this bliss for wealth
No not for all the eye can see
Of nothing else,—but only thee
I would not change this bliss for wealth
No not for all the eye can see
Wealth without thee is useless made
Void of the smallest happy spark
Yes just as useless to give aid
As Mirrors set to light the dark!
Void of the smallest happy spark
Yes just as useless to give aid
As Mirrors set to light the dark!
25
Ah power of riches power of kings
Are nought when destitute of thee
Old gripe mourns thee when hunger stings
And princes mourn in Luxury
Are nought when destitute of thee
Old gripe mourns thee when hunger stings
And princes mourn in Luxury
Then thank thy God exulting soul
Who gave this peace and privacy
Who gives this Health as seasons roll
And all that ever blesses thee
Who gave this peace and privacy
Who gives this Health as seasons roll
And all that ever blesses thee
Ah well may they who do posess
Sweet health thy joy-inspiring balm
Lavish thy praise in such excess
‘Hail hail, wild woodlands native charm!’
Sweet health thy joy-inspiring balm
Lavish thy praise in such excess
‘Hail hail, wild woodlands native charm!’
Thy voice I hear, thy form I see
In silence, Echo, stream or cloud
Now that strong voice belongs to thee
Which woods and hills repeat so loud
In silence, Echo, stream or cloud
Now that strong voice belongs to thee
Which woods and hills repeat so loud
The leaf the flower the spirey blade
The hanging drops of pearley dew
The russet heath the woodland shade
All all can bring thee in my view
The hanging drops of pearley dew
The russet heath the woodland shade
All all can bring thee in my view
‘Then hail sweet balm;—ye breezes blow
‘Ransack the flower and blossom'd tree
‘All all your stolen gifts bestow
‘For health has granted all to me!’
‘Ransack the flower and blossom'd tree
‘All all your stolen gifts bestow
‘For health has granted all to me!’
With her I search the woodland shade
Beset in briery wild among
With her I tred the tufted glade
Transported by the woodlarks song
Beset in briery wild among
With her I tred the tufted glade
Transported by the woodlarks song
26
With her I wander where the sheep
In groups display a chequer'd shade
Where weedy waters winding creep
Nor will she fallow clods disdain
In groups display a chequer'd shade
Where weedy waters winding creep
Nor will she fallow clods disdain
‘Then hail sweet balm,—ye breezes blow
‘Ransack the flower and blossom'd tree
‘All all your stolen gifts bestow
‘For health has granted all to me!’
‘Ransack the flower and blossom'd tree
‘All all your stolen gifts bestow
‘For health has granted all to me!’
| The early poems of John Clare | |