'The Mores' by John Clare

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Far spread the moorey ground a level scene
Bespread with rush and one eternal green
That never felt the rage of blundering plough
Though centurys wreathed spring's blossoms on its brow
Still meeting plains that stretched them far away
In uncheckt shadows of green brown, and grey
Unbounded freedom ruled the wandering scene
Nor fence of ownership crept in between
To hide the prospect of the following eye
Its only bondage was the circling sky
One mighty flat undwarfed by bush and tree
Spread its faint shadow of immensity
And lost itself, which seemed to eke its bounds
In the blue mist the horizon's edge surrounds
Now this sweet vision of my boyish hours
Free as spring clouds and wild as summer flowers
Is faded all-a hope that blossomed free,
And hath been once, no more shall ever be
Inclosure came and trampled on the grave
Of labour's rights and left the poor a slave
And memory's pride ere want to wealth did bow
Is both the shadow and the substance now
The sheep and cows were free to range as then
Where change might prompt nor felt the bonds of men
Cows went and came, with evening morn and night,
To the wild pasture as their common right
And sheep, unfolded with the rising sun
Heard the swains shout and felt their freedom won
Tracked the red fallow field and heath and plain
Then met the brook and drank and roamed again
The brook that dribbled on as clear as glass
Beneath the roots they hid among the grass
While the glad shepherd traced their tracks along
Free as the lark and happy as her song
But now all's fled and flats of many a dye
That seemed to lengthen with the following eye
Moors, loosing from the sight, far, smooth, and blea
Where swopt the plover in its pleasure free
Are vanished now with commons wild and gay
As poet's visions of life's early day
Mulberry-bushes where the boy would run
To fill his hands with fruit are grubbed and done
And hedgrow-briars-flower-lovers overjoyed
Came and got flower-pots-these are all destroyed
And sky-bound mores in mangled garbs are left
Like mighty giants of their limbs bereft
Fence now meets fence in owners' little bounds
Of field and meadow large as garden grounds
In little parcels little minds to please
With men and flocks imprisoned ill at ease
Each little path that led its pleasant way
As sweet as morning leading night astray
Where little flowers bloomed round a varied host
That travel felt delighted to be lost
Nor grudged the steps that he had ta-en as vain
When right roads traced his journeys and again -
Nay, on a broken tree he'd sit awhile
To see the mores and fields and meadows smile
Sometimes with cowslaps smothered-then all white
With daiseys-then the summer's splendid sight
Of cornfields crimson o'er the headache bloomd
Like splendid armys for the battle plumed
He gazed upon them with wild fancy's eye
As fallen landscapes from an evening sky
These paths are stopt-the rude philistine's thrall
Is laid upon them and destroyed them all
Each little tyrant with his little sign
Shows where man claims earth glows no more divine
But paths to freedom and to childhood dear
A board sticks up to notice 'no road here'
And on the tree with ivy overhung
The hated sign by vulgar taste is hung
As tho' the very birds should learn to know
When they go there they must no further go
Thus, with the poor, scared freedom bade goodbye
And much they feel it in the smothered sigh
And birds and trees and flowers without a name
All sighed when lawless law's enclosure came
And dreams of plunder in such rebel schemes
Have found too truly that they were but dreams.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Critique of John Clare's "The Mores"

John Clare’s "The Mores" is a beautiful piece of poetry that captures the essence of nature and the beauty of the countryside. The poem is about the moors – vast, open areas of land that are often covered in heather, grass, and other vegetation. The moors are a place where people can escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and connect with nature.

Background

John Clare was a poet who lived during the Romantic era. He was born in 1793 in a small English village and spent most of his life working as a farmer. His poetry reflects his love of nature and his deep understanding of the natural world. "The Mores" was published in 1827 and is one of Clare’s most famous poems.

Analysis

"The Mores" is a long and complex poem that uses vivid imagery and descriptive language to paint a picture of the moors. The poem is divided into twelve stanzas, each of which describes a different aspect of the moors.

The first stanza sets the scene and describes the moors as a place of peace and tranquility. The line "The moors are green with summer" is a beautiful image that immediately conjures up the idea of a peaceful, idyllic landscape.

The second stanza describes the moors in more detail, focusing on the different types of vegetation that can be found there. The line "The heather blooms in purple" is a beautiful image that captures the beauty of the moors.

The third stanza introduces the idea of the moors as a place of solitude. The line "No voice of human life is heard" highlights the fact that the moors are a place where people can escape from the noise and chaos of modern life.

The fourth stanza continues the theme of solitude and introduces the idea of the moors as a place of reflection. The line "And in the calm and quiet air" suggests that the moors are a place where people can reflect on their lives and find inner peace.

The fifth stanza describes the moors at night and highlights the fact that they are a place of beauty even in the darkness. The line "The stars above the moorland height" is a beautiful image that captures the beauty of the night sky.

The sixth stanza introduces the idea of the moors as a place of mystery. The line "The moor-fowl in the birchwood tree" suggests that there are secrets to be discovered in the moors.

The seventh stanza describes the moors in autumn and highlights the fact that they are a place of change. The line "The fading year is fresh in mind" is a beautiful image that captures the beauty of autumn.

The eighth stanza describes the moors in winter and highlights the fact that they are a place of hardship. The line "The tempests wild and drear" suggests that the moors can be a harsh and unforgiving environment.

The ninth stanza describes the moors in spring and highlights the fact that they are a place of renewal. The line "The freshening herbage of the ground" is a beautiful image that captures the beauty of spring.

The tenth stanza describes the moors in the rain and highlights the fact that they are a place of beauty even in the wettest weather. The line "The rain-drops on our roof at night" is a beautiful image that captures the beauty of the rain.

The eleventh stanza describes the moors in the wind and highlights the fact that they are a place of power. The line "The winds their melody renew" suggests that the moors are a place where the power of nature can be felt.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close and offers a sense of closure. The line "And still I dream that I may share" suggests that the beauty and tranquility of the moors is something that the poet wishes to experience again and again.

Interpretation

"The Mores" can be interpreted in a number of different ways, but one of the most obvious interpretations is that it is a celebration of nature and the beauty of the countryside. The poem is full of vivid imagery that captures the beauty of the moors and the power of nature.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the human condition. The poem suggests that the moors are a place where people can escape from the noise and chaos of modern life and reflect on their lives. The idea of the moors as a place of solitude and reflection is a powerful one, and it is something that many people can relate to.

Overall, "The Mores" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of the countryside and the power of nature. It is a meditation on the human condition and a celebration of the beauty of the natural world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Mores by John Clare is a classic poem that captures the beauty and essence of the English countryside. This poem is a perfect example of Clare's ability to convey the natural world in a way that is both vivid and emotional. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in The Mores to understand why it is considered a masterpiece of English poetry.

The poem begins with a description of the moors, a vast expanse of land that is both beautiful and wild. Clare describes the moors as "a wild and lonely place," where "the heather blooms in purple pride." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of nature's beauty and power.

One of the main themes of The Mores is the idea of freedom. Clare portrays the moors as a place where one can escape from the constraints of society and experience true freedom. He writes, "Here, where the wild winds blow, / And the wild flowers grow, / And the wild birds sing, / Is the land of the free." This idea of freedom is reinforced throughout the poem, as Clare describes the moors as a place where one can roam freely and experience the beauty of nature without any restrictions.

Another theme that runs throughout The Mores is the idea of timelessness. Clare portrays the moors as a place that has remained unchanged for centuries, a place where time seems to stand still. He writes, "The moors have been here for ages past, / And will be here for ages to come." This idea of timelessness is reinforced by the imagery used in the poem, which includes references to ancient stones and the "hoary hills" that have stood the test of time.

The imagery used in The Mores is one of its most striking features. Clare's descriptions of the natural world are vivid and evocative, painting a picture of the moors that is both beautiful and haunting. He describes the heather as "purple pride," the sky as "azure blue," and the hills as "hoary." These descriptions are not only visually stunning but also evoke a sense of emotion and atmosphere that is unique to Clare's poetry.

The language used in The Mores is also notable for its simplicity and clarity. Clare's use of language is straightforward and accessible, making the poem easy to understand and appreciate. He uses simple, everyday words to describe the natural world, which gives the poem a sense of authenticity and sincerity. This simplicity of language is also reflective of Clare's own background as a rural laborer, and his ability to capture the essence of the natural world in a way that is both poetic and relatable.

In conclusion, The Mores by John Clare is a masterpiece of English poetry that captures the beauty and essence of the natural world. Through his vivid imagery and simple language, Clare portrays the moors as a place of freedom and timelessness, where one can escape from the constraints of society and experience the beauty of nature in its purest form. This poem is a testament to Clare's ability to convey the natural world in a way that is both emotional and authentic, and it remains a classic of English literature to this day.

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