Solitude

Clare's publisher John Taylor removed the following lines from the published text of 'Solitude' in ‘The Village Minstrel’.  Working with Clare's original manuscript,  I have simply assembled them in the order in which they appear, dotted through the scribbled pages.   Why were these lines deleted?  No-one has any idea.

    

    O how sweet I cannot tell
    With thee at that hour to dwell
    Stretchd the mossy bank beside
    Lye to view the random tide
    Where no clowns has chopt from thence
    Bush nor stake to mend his fence

    Cornerd stones & pebbles round
    Breaking dasht wi mellow sound
    Wether this or that to see
    I am blest if Im wi thee
    & full dear has been the hour
    Spent wi in thy noon day bower
    Prest wi thee thy mossy seat
    O its unexpressive sweet

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