World in a Grain of Sand
To see a World in a Grain of SandAnd a Heaven in a Wild Flower Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand And Eternity in an hour (1-4)The first four lines make up the poem behind the poem. These four...
Animals
A Robin Red breast in a CagePuts all Heaven in a Rage. (5-6) The Bat that flits at close of EveHas left the Brain that won't believe. (25-26) Our "Summary" pages cover the different animal metaphor...
Prince's Robes, Beggar's Rags, and Miser's Rags
The Prince's Robes & Beggars' RagsAre Toadstools on the Miser's Bags. (51-52) The Beggar's Rags, fluttering in Air,Does to Rags the Heavens tear. (75-76) Blake doesn't have a passion for fashio...
Joy and Woe as Clothing for the Soul
Joy & Woe are woven fine,A Clothing for the Soul divine;Under every grief & pineRuns a joy with silken twine. (59-62) So, we've said that Blake wasn't exactly a fashionista. But he's talkin...
Tears Becoming Babes
Every Tear from Every EyeBecomes a Babe in Eternity.This is caught by Females brightAnd return'd to its own delight. (67-70)A tear of real joy or sadness is something that will bear fruit in eterni...
The Infant's Faith
He who mocks the Infant's FaithShall be mock'd in Age & Death.He who shall teach the Child to DoubtThe rotting Grave shall ne'er get out.He who respects the Infant's faithTriumphs over Hell &am...
Gold and Gems on a Plow
When Gold & Gems adorn the PlowTo peaceful Arts shall Envy bow (101-102) This one is pretty simple. A plow is the opposite of weaponry—it's a peaceful tool, used for agriculture. So, Blake's...
Night and Morn, Misery and Delight
Every Night & every MornSome to Misery are Born.Every Morn & every NightSome are Born to sweet Delight.Some are Born to sweet Delight,Some are born to Endless Night. (119-124) The symbolism...
Seeing "Through" the Eye
We are led to Believe a LieWhen we see not Thro' the EyeWhich was Born in a Night to Perish in a NightWhen the Soul Slept in Beams of Light. (125-128) If you're seeing "through" your eye, you're ap...
God as Light and as Human Form
God Appears & God is LightTo those poor Souls who dwell in the Night,But does a Human Form DisplayTo those who Dwell in Realms of day. (129-132)When Blake says that God appears as "Light" to "p...