"Thou lowly cot where first my breath I drew,
Past joys endear thee, childhood's past delight
Where each young summer's pictured on my view,
And, dearer still, the happy winter night ...
How blest I've listened on my corner stool,
Heard the storm rage, and hugged my happy spot,
While the fond parent wound her whirring spool
And spared a sigh for the poor wanderer's lot."
John Clare was born in this house in 1793 and lived there until 1832. The guide booklet published by the John Clare Trust tells us that "As soon as the meagre meal was over and the table cleared, Clare would get out his schoolwork and cover it again. His parents recognised that there was something special in their son and ... always encouraged him."
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