Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO WILLIAM BLAKE, by OLIVE TILFORD DARGAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO WILLIAM BLAKE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Be a god, your spirit cried
Last Line: Where your piping goes before.
Alternate Author Name(s): Burke, Fielding
Subject(s): Blake, William (1757-1827)


(When an original copy of "Songs of Innocence," etched and colored by the
author, was left overnight on my pillow)

Be a god, your spirit cried;
Tread with feet that burn the dew;
Dress with clouds your locks of pride;
Be a child, God said to you.

Then with blood a wild sea-wave,
Then while Death drew near to look,
Firm your fingers grew and gave
Man and me this gentle book.

Dream that burns the dreamer mad
Swept you through and did not sere;
Forth you looked, a little lad;
Sang the songs that all may hear.

Bright you go, with dewy fire
Of your music flowing fleet;
Drifting lower, drifting higher,
With the winds beneath your feet.

And I'll take the way I find
With no thought of footing sore.
Stones are tender, thorns are kind,
Where your piping goes before.





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