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Home  »  The Poetical Works by William Blake  »  English Encouragement of Art: Cromek’s opinions put into rhyme

William Blake (1757–1827). The Poetical Works. 1908.

On Art and Artists

English Encouragement of Art: Cromek’s opinions put into rhyme

XI
IF you mean to please everybody you will

Set to work both ignorance and skill.

For a great multitude are ignorant,

And skill to them seems raving and rant.

Like putting oil and water in a lamp,

’Twill make a great splutter with smoke and damp.

For there is no use as it seems to me

Of lighting a lamp, when you don’t wish to see.