William Blake (1757–1827). The Poetical Works. 1908. Songs of Experience The Human Abstract
PITY 1 would be no more If we did not make somebody poor; And Mercy no more could be If all were as happy as we. And mutual fear brings peace, 5 Till the selfish loves increase; Then Cruelty knits a snare, And spreads his baits with care. He sits down with holy fears, And waters the ground with tears; 10 Then Humility takes its root Underneath his foot. Soon spreads the dismal shade Of Mystery over his head; And the caterpillar and fly 15 Feed on the Mystery. And it bears the fruit of Deceit, Ruddy and sweet to eat; And the raven his nest has made In its thickest shade. 20 The Gods of the earth and sea Sought thro’ Nature to find this tree; But their search was all in vain: There grows one in the Human brain.[END OF THE SONGS OF EXPERIENCE ]
Note 1. st rdg. cancelled, and changed to ‘The Human Image’. 1 would] could MS. 2 If there was nobody poor MS. 1st rdg. del. 20 thickest] blackest MS. But their search was all in vain Till they sought in the human brain. MS. 1st rdg., last line del.
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