| William Blake (1757–1827). The Poetical Works. 1908. | | | | Poetical Sketches | | Prologue, intended for a Dramatic Piece of King Edward the Fourth |
| | | O FOR a voice like thunder, and a tongue | |
| To drown the throat of war! When the senses | |
| Are shaken, and the soul is driven to madness, | |
| Who can stand? When the souls of the oppressèd | |
| Fight in the troubled air that rages, who can stand? | 5 |
| When the whirlwind of fury comes from the | |
| Throne of God, when the frowns of his countenance | |
| Drive the nations together, who can stand? | |
| When Sin claps his broad wings over the battle, | |
| And sails rejoicing in the flood of Death; | 10 |
| When souls are torn to everlasting fire, | |
| And fiends of Hell rejoice upon the slain, | |
| O who can stand? O who hath causèd this? | |
| O who can answer at the throne of God? | |
| The Kings and Nobles of the Land have done it! | 15 |
| Hear it not, Heaven, thy Ministers have done it! | | | | |
|
|
