Explore Quotes by John Clare

I am, as far as my politics reaches, 'King and Country' - no 'Innovations in Religion and Government' say I.

I'm John Clare now. I was Byron and Shakespeare formerly.

And all the charms of face or voice Which I in others see, Are but the recollected choice Of what I feel for thee.

I had a variety of minds about me and all of them unsettled.

Still, I have been no one's enemy but my own. My easy nature, either in drinking or anything else, was always ready to submit to persuasions of profligate companions, who often led me into snares.

I am: yet what I am none cares or knows, My friends forsake me like a memory lost; I am the self-consumer of my woes, They rise and vanish in oblivious host, Like shades in love and death's oblivion lost; And yet I am, and live with shadows tost.

If life had a second edition, how I would correct the proofs.

The best way to avoid a bad action is by doing a good one, for there is no difficulty in the world like that of trying to do nothing.

So dull and dark are the November days. The lazy mist high up the evening curled, And now the morn quite hides in smoke and haze; The place we occupy seems all the world.

While snow the window-panes bedim,_x000D__x000D_The fire curls up a sunny charm,_x000D__x000D_Where, creaming o'er the pitcher's rim,_x000D__x000D_The flowering ale is set to warm;_x000D__x000D_Mirth, full of joy as summer bees,_x000D__x000D_Sits there, its pleasures to impart,_x000D__x000D_And children, 'tween their parent's knees,_x000D__x000D_Sing scraps of carols o'er by heart.

Old April wanes, and her last dewy morn Her death-bed steeps in tears; to hail the May New blooming blossoms neath the sun are born, And all poor April's charms are swept away.

Summer is a prodigal of joy. The grass Swarms with delighted insects as I pass, And crowds of grasshoppers at every stride Jump out all ways with happiness their guide; And from my brushing feet moths flit away In safer places to pursue their play. In crowds they start. I marvel, well I may, To see such worlds of insects in the way, And more to see each thing, however small, Sharing joy's bounty that belongs to all. And here I gather, by the world forgot, Harvests of comfort from their happy mood, Feeling God's blessing dwells in every spot And nothing lives but owes him gratitude.

My fears are agitated to an extreme degree and the dread of death involves me in a stupor of chilling indisposition.

I long for scenes where man has never trod;... There to abide with my Creator, God.

I live here among the ignorant like a lost man in fact like one whom the rest seems careless of having anything to do with — they hardly dare talk in my company for fear I shoud mention them in my writings & I find more pleasure in wandering the fields then in mixing among my silent neighbours who are insensible of everything but toiling & talking of it & that to no purpose.

I was Byron and Shakespeare formerly.

I am the self-consumer of my woes.

Burning hot is the ground, liquid gold is the air; Whoever looks round sees Eternity there.

Yet simple souls, their faith it knows no stint:_x000D_Things least to be believed are most preferred._x000D_All counterfeits, as from truth's sacred mint,_x000D_Are readily believed if once put down in print

The present is the funeral of the past, And man the living sepulchre of life.

I hid my love when young till I_x000D_Couldn't bear the buzzing of a fly;_x000D_I hid my life to my despite_x000D_Till I could not bear to look at light:_x000D_I dare not gaze upon her face_x000D_But left her memory in each place;_x000D_Where'er I saw a wild flower lie_x000D_I kissed and bade my love good-bye.