These two sonnets by ‘an Agricultural Laborer, of Helpstone, near Stamford’ were the first works of John Clare ever published. Clare’s first collection, entitled Poems Descriptive of Rural Life and Scenery, was published in 1820.
'SONNETS
By J. CLARE, an Agricultural Laborer, of Helpstone, near Stamford.
TO A PRIMROSE.
Welcome pale primrose, starting up between
Dead matted leaves of oak and ash that strew
The ev'ry lawn, the wood, and spinney through,
Mid creeping moss, and ivy's darker green.
How much thy presence beautifies the ground;
How sweet thy modest unaffected pride
Glows on the sunny bank and wood's warm side;
And where thy fairy flow'rs in groups are found,
The schoolboy roams enchantedly along,
Plucking the fairest with a rude delight;
While the meek shepherd stops his simple song,
To gaze a moment on the pleasing sight;
O'er joy'd to see the flow'rs that truly bring
The welcome news of sweet returning Spring.
~~~~~~~~~~
THE SETTING SUN.
This scene how beauteous to the musing mind!
That now swift slides from my enchanting view -
The Sun, sweet setting yon far hills behind,
In other worlds his visit to renew.
What spangling glories all around him shine,
What nameless colors cloudless and serene,
(A heavenly prospect brightest in decline)
Attend his exit from this lovely scene.
So sets the Christian's sun in glories clear;
So shines his soul at his departures here;
No cloudy doubts nor misty fears arise,
To dim Hope's golden rays of being forgiven;
His sun sweet setting in the clearest skies,
In safe assurance wings the soul to Heaven.'
The Stamford Mercury, 12th November, 1819.