William Blake
Songs of Experience

Earth’s Answer

Earth raised up her head
From the darkness dread and drear.
Her light fled:
Stony dread!
And her locks cover'd with grey despair.

"Prisoned on watery shore,
Starry Jealousy does keep my den
Cold and hoar;
Weeping o'er,
I hear the father of the ancient men.

"Selfish father of men!
Cruel, jealous, selfish fear!
Can delight,
Chain'd in night,
The virgins of youth and morning bear.

"Does spring hide its joy,
When buds and blossoms grow?
Does the sower
Sow by night,
Or the ploughman in darkness plough?

"Break this heavy chain,
That does freeze my bones around!
Selfish! vain!
Eternal bane!
That free love with bondage bound."