John Clare: Poetry

John Clare: Poetry Glossary

ail

distress, hurt, ache

anthropocentrism

Regarding humankind as the central or most important element of existence, especially as opposed to animals

even'

A shortened form of "evening"

fallow

deserted, empty

fray

A situation of intense activity, typically one incorporating an element of aggression or competition

glen

another word for "valley"

gossamers

thin strings of cobweb

greensward

Grass-covered ground

ne'er

A shortened form of never

russet

a dark, rusty, brownish-red color

thistledown

The fluffy material that surrounds thistle seeds, enabling them to float through the air in the autumn