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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APPROACH OF WINTER |
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 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
214
APPROACH OF WINTER
The russet meads speaks summers fragrance fledThe falling leaves tell autumns plenty bye
The gushing rains have made grim winters bed
& all thy victim hails wi out a sigh
The housless vagrant bending to the storm
To feed wi' birds on berry baring tree
Doubts not the deed tomorrow may perform
As worse then what he is can never be
& such grim winters he who welcomes thee
A poor rude being dropt upon the earth
Prest wi all troubles lifes worst hand lays on
A harmless wormlings undefended birth
For fates inhuman foot to tread upon
Winter no troubles new thy storms atend
Life destines me one winter to its end
O had it dwindld thro its 'tinued blast
& death wipd by the clouds to light me home
Sure I might hope to think the worst was past
& once taste comfort in that life to come
| The early poems of John Clare | |