from "THE SINKEN SUN IS TAKIN LEAVE"*
            John Clare
                c. 1814
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Prone to mischief boys are met
Gen the heaves the ladders set
Sly they climb & softly tread
To catch the sparrow on his bed
& kill em O in cruel pride
Knocking gen the ladderside
Cursd barbarions pass me by
Come not turks my cottage nigh
Sure my sparrows are my own
Let ye then my birds alone
Sparrows come from foes severe
Fearless come yere welcome here
My heart yearns for fates like thine
A sparrows lifes as sweet as mine
To my cottage then resort
Much I love your chirping note
Wi my own hands to form a nest
Ill gi ye shelter peace & rest
Trifling are the deed[s] ye do
Grait the pains ye undergo
Cruel man woud Justice serve
Their crueltys as they deserve
And justest punishment pursue
And do as they to others do
Ye mourning chirpers fluttering here
They woud no doubt be less severe
Foolhardy clown neer grudg[e] the wheat
Which hunger forces them to eat
Your blinded eyes worst foes to you
Neer see the good which sparrows do
Did not the sparrows watching round
Pick up the inscet from your grounds
Did not they tend your rising grain
You then might sow--to reap in vain
Thus providence when understood
Her end and aim is doing good
Sends nothing here without its use
Which Ign'rance loads with its abuse
Thus fools despise the blessing sent
And mocks the givers good intent
O god let me the best pursue
As Id have other[s] do to me
Let me the same to others do
And learn at least Humanity  (91-134)


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* later given the editorial title "Summer Evening"

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