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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ENCLOSURE (2) by JOHN CLARE

Poet Analysis

First Line: BY LANGLEY BUSH I ROAM, BUT THE BUSH HATH LEFT ITS HILL
Last Line: IT RUNS A NAKED STREAM, COLD AND CHILL.

By Langley Bush I roam, but the bush hath left its hill,
On Cowper Green I stray, 'tis a desert strange and chill,
And the spreading Lea Close Oak, ere decay had penned its will,
To the axe of the spoiler and self-interest fell a prey,
And Crossberry Way and old Round Oak's narrow lane
With its hollow trees like pulpits I shall never see again,
Enclosure like a Buonaparte let not a thing remain,
It levelled every bush and tree and levelled every hill
And hung the moles for traitors - though the brook is running still
It runs a naked stream, cold and chill.



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