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Nobody Cometh to Woo

By John Clare

Topics: classic

On Martinmas eve the dogs did bark,     And I opened the window to see,     When every maiden went by with her spark     But neer a one came to me.     And O dear what will become of me?     And O dear what shall I do,     When nobody whispers to marry me--     Nobody cometh to woo?     None's born for such troubles as I be:     If the sun wakens first in the morn     "Lazy hussy" my parents both call me,     And I must abide by their scorn,     For nobody cometh to marry me,     Nobody cometh to woo,     So here in distress must I tarry me--     What can a poor maiden do?     If I sigh through the window when Jerry     The ploughman goes by, I grow bold;     And if I'm disposed to be merry,     My parents do nothing but scold;     And Jerry the clown, and no other,     Eer cometh to marry or woo;     They think me the moral of mother     And judge me a terrible shrew.     For mother she hateth all fellows,     And spinning's my father's desire,     While the old cat growls bass with the bellows     If eer I hitch up to the fire.     I make the whole house out of humour,     I wish nothing else but to please,     Would fortune but bring a new comer     To marry, and make me at ease!     When I've nothing my leisure to hinder     I scarce get as far as the eaves;     Her head's instant out of the window     Calling out like a press after thieves.     The young men all fall to remarking,     And laugh till they're weary to see't,     While the dogs at the noise begin barking,     And I slink in with shame from the street.     My mother's aye jealous of loving,     My father's aye jealous of play,     So what with them both there's no moving,     I'm in durance for life and a day.     O who shall I get for to marry me?     Who will have pity to woo?     Tis death any longer to tarry me,     And what shall a poor maiden do?

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"On Martinmas eve the dogs did bark,..."

Exploring the themes of classic, John Clare delivers a powerful performance in "Nobody Cometh to Woo"... ### Why We Love This Line At Linespedia, we believe that poetry is the ultimate sanctuary for the soul...

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Author:John Clare

"On Martinmas eve the dogs did bark,..." by John Clare

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John Clare

About John Clare

John Clare (1793–1864) was an English poet known as the "peasant poet" for his humble origins. His nature poetry—including "I Am" and "Badger"—captures the English countryside with extraordinary precision and emotional honesty, and he is now recognized as one of the finest nature poets in the language.

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