I wish I was what I have been And what I was could be As wh… - John Clare

" "
I wish I was what I have been
And what I was could be
As when I roved in shadows green
And loved my willow tree

To gaze upon the starry sky
And higher fancies build
And make in solitary joy
Loves temple in the field

John Clare

The Later Poems, 1837-1864 · June 14, 1984 Verified in 1 source Sign up to see the complete provenance

poetry past

English

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About John Clare

John Clare (13 July 1793 – 20 May 1864) was an English poet, commonly known as "the Northamptonshire Peasant Poet". The son of a farm labourer, he was born at Helpston near Peterborough.

Biography information from Wikiquote

Also Known As

Alternative Names: Northamptonshire Peasant Poet

All quotes from John Clare Similar Quotes by other Originators

Originators like John Clare:

John Keats Edna St. Vincent Millay William Butler Yeats Letitia Elizabeth Landon Lord Byron

Additional quotes by John Clare

O I never thought that joys would run away from boys,
Or that boys would change their minds and forsake such summer joys;
But alack I never dreamed that the world had other toys

This world has suns, but they are overcast; This world has sweets, but they're of ling'ring bloom; Life still expects, and empty falls at last; Warm Hope on tiptoe drops into the tomb.

The ivyed oaks dark shadow falls Oft picking up with wondering gaze Some little thing of other days Saved from the wreck of time.

I wish I was what I have been And what I was could be As when I roved in shadows green And loved my willow tree To gaze upon the starry sky And high… - John Clare

About John Clare

Also Known As

Additional quotes by John Clare