Intorduction to the Songs of Experience

Portrait of William Blake
William Blake 1757–1827

Hear the voice of the Bard, Who present, past, and future, sees; Whose ears have heard The Holy Word That walked among the ancient tree;

Calling the lapsed soul, And weeping in the evening dew; That might control The starry pole, And fallen, fallen light renew!

'O Earth, O Earth, return! Arise from out the dewy grass! Night is worn, And the morn Rises from the slumbrous mass.

'Turn away no more; Why wilt thou turn away? The starry floor, The watery shore, Are given thee till the break of day.'

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