If life had a second edition, how I would correct the proofs.
John Clare
He could not die when trees were green, for he loved the time too well.
I had a variety of minds about me and all of them unsettled.
My fears are agitated to an extreme degree and the dread of death involves me in a stupor of chilling indisposition.
I am gennerally understood tho I do not use that awkward squad of pointings called commas colons semicolons etc.
The best way to avoid a bad action is by doing a good one, for there is no difficulty in the world like that of trying to do nothing.
Still, I have been no one's enemy but my own. My easy nature, either in drinking or anything else, was always ready to submit to persuasions of profligate companions, who often led me into snares.
And all the charms of face or voice Which I in others see, Are but the recollected choice Of what I feel for thee.
I am, as far as my politics reaches, 'King and Country' - no 'Innovations in Religion and Government' say I.
I'm John Clare now. I was Byron and Shakespeare formerly.