Around 7 years ago whilst working with Anne Lee on the third of our handmade limited edition books ‘In the Shadows’ we were looking for a way of linking Clare’s poems about Mary Joyce to the much more difficult to quantify ‘spirit’ of their relationship. One day whilst we were working in the Archive in Peterborough, Anne came across the manuscript for ‘The Nightmare’ in which the villagers of Helpston are called to Judgement in St. Botolph’s church. Clare had an ‘angel guide’ obviously (to us) based upon Mary. We used couplets from that 158 line poem as the links we had been seeking.
‘The Nightmare’ is one of Clare’s Gothic poems, and I soon discovered that there were others. In manuscript form they were very much appreciated by his publishers and well-wishers, but not published in his day. Pity really, as there was a growing interest in gothic literature of all kinds in the 1820s and 30s.
SO… I’ve collected a few of these works into ‘The Gothic John Clare’ – all the reader has to do is to accept the idea that thre might be something beyond that which is immediately in front of us.
Gothic literature is often described with words such as "wonder" and "terror.” This sense of wonder and terror, which provides the suspension of disbelief, is important to Gothic writing of all kinds, perhaps saving when it is parodied. Notwithstanding its occasional melodrama, gothic writing is typically played straight, in a very serious manner. All that is required is that the imagination of the reader is willing to accept the idea that there might be something "beyond that which is immediately in front of us."
Soft as creeping feet can fall
Still the damp green stained wall
As the startled ghost flits bye
Mocking murmurs faintly sigh
Minding our intruding fear
Such visits are unwelcome here
Seemly then each hollow urnStill the damp green stained wall
As the startled ghost flits bye
Mocking murmurs faintly sigh
Minding our intruding fear
Such visits are unwelcome here
Gentle steps our steps return
Ere so soft & ere so still
Check our breath or how we will
Listning spirits still reply
Step for step & sigh for sigh
Murmuring oer ones wearied woe
Life as once was theirs to know
The Gothic often uses scenery of decay, death, and morbidity to achieve its effects . Clare experimented with the gothic too, his note regarding one of the poems in this collection is quite revealing:
“I wish to acknowledge that whatsoever merit this and The Dream may be thought to possess they owe it in part to the English Opium Eater, as they were written after (though actual dreams) the perusal of that singular and interesting production. "
Nearly two centuries after Clare penned most of these poems they maintain a dark and mysterious appeal.
Nearly two centuries after Clare penned most of these poems they maintain a dark and mysterious appeal.
The Gothic John Clare (Arbour Chapbook No. 9) is available from me at £3.50 + £1.00 postage and packing (UK). Not sure how much the postage would be to other parts of the world, but I'm sure I can let you know.
Kindle edition (PDF) is £1.50 - just send me a message: arborfield@pm.me
Kindle edition (PDF) is £1.50 - just send me a message: arborfield@pm.me
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