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William Blake (1757–1827).  The Poetical Works.  1908.
 
Poems from the Rossetti MS.: Earlier Poems
Why should I care for the men of Thames
 
WHY 1 should I care for the men of Thames
Or the cheating waves of charter’d streams;
Or shrink at the little blasts of fear
That the hireling blows into my ear?
 
Tho’ born on the cheating banks of Thames,        5
Tho’ his waters bathèd my infant limbs,
The Ohio shall wash his stains from me:
I was born a slave, but I go to be free!
 
Note 1. Why should I care, &c.] 7 I spurn’d his waters away from me MS. 1st rdg. del. 8 I go to be free] I long to be free MS. 1st rdg. del. [back]
 
 
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