'Christmass' by John Clare


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Christmass is come and every hearth
Makes room to give him welcome now
Een want will dry its tears in mirth
And crown him wi a holly bough
Tho tramping neath a winters sky
Oer snow track paths and ryhmey stiles
The huswife sets her spining bye
And bids him welcome wi her smiles
Each house is swept the day before
And windows stuck wi evergreens
The snow is beesomd from the door
And comfort crowns the cottage scenes
Gilt holly wi its thorny pricks
And yew and box wi berrys small
These deck the unusd candlesticks
And pictures hanging by the wallNeighbours resume their anual cheer
Wishing wi smiles and spirits high
Clad christmass and a happy year
To every morning passer bye
Milk maids their christmass journeys go
Accompanyd wi favourd swain
And childern pace the crumping snow
To taste their grannys cake againHung wi the ivys veining bough
The ash trees round the cottage farm
Are often stript of branches now
The cotters christmass hearth to warm
He swings and twists his hazel band
And lops them off wi sharpend hook
And oft brings ivy in his hand
To decorate the chimney nookOld winter whipes his ides bye
And warms his fingers till he smiles
Where cottage hearths are blazing high
And labour resteth from his toils
Wi merry mirth beguiling care
Old customs keeping wi the day
Friends meet their christmass cheer to share
And pass it in a harmless wayOld customs O I love the sound
However simple they may be
What ere wi time has sanction found
Is welcome and is dear to me
Pride grows above simplicity
And spurns it from her haughty mind
And soon the poets song will be
The only refuge they can findThe shepherd now no more afraid
Since custom doth the chance bestow
Starts up to kiss the giggling maid
Beneath the branch of mizzletoe
That neath each cottage beam is seen
Wi pearl-like-berrys shining gay
The shadow still of what hath been
Which fashion yearly fades awayAnd singers too a merry throng
At early morn wi simple skill
Yet imitate the angels song
And chant their christmass ditty still
And mid the storm that dies and swells
By fits-in humings softly steals
The music of the village bells
Ringing round their merry pealsAnd when its past a merry crew
Bedeckt in masks and ribbons gay
The 'Morrice danse' their sports renew
And act their winter evening play
The clown-turnd-kings for penny praise
Storm wi the actors strut and swell
And harlequin a laugh to raise
Wears his hump back and tinkling bellAnd oft for pence and spicy ale
Wi winter nosgays pind before
The wassail singer tells her tale
And drawls her christmass carrols oer
The prentice boy wi ruddy face
And ryhme bepowderd dancing locks
From door to door wi happy pace
Runs round to claim his 'christmass box'The block behind the fire is put
To sanction customs old desires
And many a faggots bands are cut
For the old farmers christmass fires
Where loud tongd gladness joins the throng
And winter meets the warmth of may
Feeling by times the heat too strong
And rubs his shins and draws awayWhile snows the window panes bedim
The fire curls up a sunny charm
Where creaming oer the pitchers rim
The flowering ale is set to warm
Mirth full of joy as summer bees
Sits there its pleasures to impart
While childern tween their parents knees
Sing scraps of carrols oer by heartAnd some to view the winter weathers
Climb up the window seat wi glee
Likening the snow to falling feathers
In fancys infant extacy
Laughing wi superstitious love
Oer visions wild that youth supplyes
Of people pulling geese above
And keeping christmass in the skyesAs tho the homstead trees were drest
In lieu of snow wi dancing leaves
As. tho the sundryd martins nest
Instead of ides hung the eaves
The childern hail the happy day
As if the snow was april grass
And pleasd as neath the warmth of may
Sport oer the water froze to glassThou day of happy sound and mirth
That long wi childish memory stays
How blest around the cottage hearth
I met thee in my boyish days
Harping wi raptures dreaming joys
On presents that thy coming found
The welcome sight of little toys
The christmass gifts of comers round'The wooden horse wi arching head
Drawn upon wheels around the room
The gilded coach of ginger bread
And many colord sugar plumb
Gilt coverd books for pictures sought
Or storys childhood loves to tell
Wi many a urgent promise bought
To get tomorrows lesson wellAnd many a thing a minutes sport
Left broken on the sanded floor
When we woud leave our play and court
Our parents promises for more
Tho manhood bids such raptures dye
And throws such toys away as vain
Yet memory loves to turn her eye
And talk such pleasures oer againAround the glowing hearth at night
The harmless laugh and winter tale
Goes round-while parting friends delight
To toast each other oer their ale
The cotter oft wi quiet zeal
Will musing oer his bible lean
While in the dark the lovers steal
To kiss and toy behind the screenThe yule cake dotted thick wi plumbs
Is on each supper table found
And cats look up for falling crumbs
Which greedy childern litter round
And huswifes sage stuffd seasond chine
Long hung in chimney nook to drye
And boiling eldern berry wine
To drink the christmass eves 'good bye'

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Joyful Spirit of Christmas in John Clare's Poetry

Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, a time when families come together and share in the spirit of love and generosity. It is a time when the world seems to slow down and take a deep breath, as if to savor the beauty of the season. And what better way to capture the essence of Christmas than through poetry? John Clare's "Christmass" is a beautiful and evocative poem that captures the joy and wonder of the season. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes of the poem and analyze its structure and imagery to gain a deeper understanding of Clare's masterpiece.

The Spirit of Joy and Celebration

From the very beginning, "Christmass" is infused with a spirit of joy and celebration. Clare paints a vivid picture of the holiday season, describing the hustle and bustle of people preparing for the big day:

See the jolly wassail bowl
Crowning the board, and filled with good cheer,
While holly round circlets entwine each poll,
And the mistletoe hangs o'er the door near.

The wassail bowl, a traditional English drink made from spiced ale or cider, is a symbol of merriment and good cheer. The holly and mistletoe, two traditional Christmas decorations, are also symbols of joy and celebration. Clare's imagery is rich and vibrant, and it immediately transports the reader into the world of Christmas.

The Beauty of Nature

Another theme of "Christmass" is the beauty of nature. Clare was a poet who was deeply connected to the natural world, and his love of nature is evident in this poem. He describes the snow-covered landscape:

Hark! the glad sound of merry bells ring round,
The while the merry snow lies on the ground,
And Winter throws his cloak of ermine white
O'er every hill and vale with pure delight.

The snow is not a burden, but a source of joy and wonder. It is a symbol of the beauty of the season, and Clare's description of it is both lyrical and enchanting.

The Power of Memory

Memory is another important theme of "Christmass." The holiday season is a time for remembering loved ones who are no longer with us, and Clare captures this sentiment beautifully:

'Tis sweet to hear the children's warbling tongues
Pour forth their greetings in their native songs,
When round the glowing hearth they fondly meet,
And shake each other by the hand so sweet.

The memory of loved ones is a source of comfort and joy, and it is something that we hold onto throughout our lives. Clare's poem reminds us of the power of memory, and how it can bring us together even in times of sadness.

The Structure of the Poem

"Christmass" is structured in four stanzas, with each stanza consisting of eight lines. The poem follows a regular rhyme scheme, with each stanza rhyming ABABCCDD. The regularity of the structure gives the poem a sense of balance and harmony. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has eight syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed-stressed syllables. This gives the poem a musical quality, and makes it easy to read aloud.

The Imagery of the Poem

One of the most striking aspects of "Christmass" is its rich and evocative imagery. Clare uses a variety of images to paint a vivid picture of the holiday season. One of the most striking images is that of the wassail bowl, which he describes as "jolly" and "filled with good cheer." The image of the holly and mistletoe is also powerful, as it represents the joy and celebration of the season. The image of the snow-covered landscape is also beautiful, and captures the wonder of the season.

Conclusion

In conclusion, John Clare's "Christmass" is a beautiful and evocative poem that captures the joy and wonder of the holiday season. The poem is infused with a spirit of celebration and joy, and is full of rich and vibrant imagery. Clare's love of nature is also evident in the poem, as is his appreciation for the power of memory. The structure of the poem is regular and balanced, and the imagery is vivid and powerful. All of these elements combine to make "Christmass" a masterpiece of English literature, and a timeless celebration of the holiday season.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Christmas by John Clare: A Celebration of the Festive Season

The festive season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. It is a time when families come together, friends reunite, and communities bond over shared traditions and customs. One such tradition is the reading of poetry, and one poem that perfectly captures the spirit of Christmas is John Clare's "Poetry Christmas."

John Clare was an English poet who lived in the 19th century. He was known for his love of nature and his ability to capture the beauty of the English countryside in his poetry. "Poetry Christmas" is one of his most famous works, and it is a celebration of the festive season and all that it represents.

The poem begins with a description of the winter landscape. Clare paints a picture of a world covered in snow, with the trees and fields blanketed in white. He describes the silence that descends upon the world, broken only by the sound of church bells ringing in the distance. This opening stanza sets the scene for the rest of the poem, and it creates a sense of anticipation and excitement for what is to come.

As the poem progresses, Clare turns his attention to the festivities of Christmas. He describes the hustle and bustle of the season, with people rushing around to buy gifts and prepare for the big day. He talks about the joy that comes with giving and receiving presents, and he captures the excitement of children as they eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus.

But Clare's poem is not just about the material aspects of Christmas. He also celebrates the spiritual side of the season, and he reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas. He talks about the birth of Jesus and the message of hope and love that he brought to the world. He reminds us that Christmas is a time for forgiveness, for kindness, and for generosity.

One of the most striking aspects of "Poetry Christmas" is the way that Clare uses language to create a sense of magic and wonder. He describes the decorations that adorn the houses and streets, and he talks about the warmth and light that they bring to the cold winter nights. He uses vivid imagery to bring the festive season to life, and he captures the essence of what makes Christmas so special.

Another notable feature of the poem is the way that Clare uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. He repeats certain phrases and words throughout the poem, such as "Christmas mirth" and "Christmas cheer," and this repetition helps to build a sense of excitement and anticipation. It also reinforces the central message of the poem, which is that Christmas is a time for joy and celebration.

Overall, "Poetry Christmas" is a beautiful and evocative poem that captures the spirit of the festive season. It celebrates the joy and wonder of Christmas, while also reminding us of the deeper meaning behind the holiday. John Clare's use of language and imagery is masterful, and his poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of a moment or a feeling.

In conclusion, if you are looking for a poem that perfectly captures the magic of Christmas, then look no further than John Clare's "Poetry Christmas." It is a timeless classic that will continue to inspire and delight readers for generations to come. So, this festive season, take a moment to read this beautiful poem and let its words fill you with the joy and wonder of Christmas.

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