English Poetry

William Blake

1757-1827, English poet, artist and engraver. London.

The Book of THEL. "Ah! Thel is like a wat'ry bow, and like a parting cloud; like a reflection in a glass, like shadows in the water."

Then Thel astonish’d view’d the Worm upon its dewy bed.
‘Art thou a Worm? Image of weakness, art thou but a worm?
‘I see thee like an infant wrapped in the Lilly’s leaf.
‘Ah! weep not, little voice, thou canst not speak, but thou canst weep.
‘Is this a Worm? I see thee lay helpless and naked, weeping,
‘And none to answer, none to cherish thee with mother’s smiles.'

Excerpts from William Blake's illustrated print The Book of Thel from: Keynes, Geoffrey, 1966. Blake: The Complete Writings. Oxford University Press.

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Disguise

Bakerloo Line

oil on canvas, surreal landscape
pencil drawing, a many-angled face in a surreal setting

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