copy-and-pasted from a website.. called.. erdman.william blake... all of the following is ... of the prose / poetry of William Blake.. is the marvel comics Loki (Ralph Fiennes)....

[1] ]

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION.
Book the First.

1. The dead brood over Europe, the cloud and vision descends over chearful France;
2. O cloud well appointed! Sick, sick: the Prince on his couch, wreath'd in dim
3. And appalling mist; his strong hand outstetch'd, from his shoulder down the bone
4. Runs aching cold into the scepter too heavy for mortal grasp. No more
5. To be swayed by visible hand, nor in cruelty bruise the mild flourishing mountains.5
   

1. Sick the mountains, and all their vineyards weep, in the eyes of the kingly mourner;
2. Pale is the morning cloud in his visage. Rise, Necker: the ancient dawn calls us
3. To awake from slumbers of five thousands years. I awake, but my soul is in dreams;
4. From my window I see the old mountains of France, like aged men,fading away.
   

1. Troubled, leaning on Necker, descends the King, to his chamber of council; shady mountains10
2. In fear utter voices of thunder; the woods of France embosom the sound;
3. Clouds of wisdom prophetic reply, and roll over the palace roof heavy,
4. Forty men: each conversing with woes in the infinite shadows of his soul,
5. Like our ancient fathers in regions of twilight, walk, gathering round the King;
6. Again the loud voice of France cries to the morning, the morning prophecies to its clouds.15
   

1. For the Commons convene in the Hall of the Nation. France shakes! And the heavens of France
2. Perplex'd vibrate round each careful countenance! Darkness of old times around them
3. Utters loud despair, shadowing Paris; her grey towers groan, and the Bastile trembles.
4. In its terrible towers the Governor stood, in dark fogs list'ning the horror;
   

287

1. A thousand his soldiers, old veterans of France, breathing red clouds of power and dominion,20
2. Sudden seiz'd with bowlings, despair, and black night, he stalk'd like a lion from tower
3. To tower, his howlings were heard in the Louvre; from court to court restless he dragg'd
4. His strong limbs; from court to court curs'd the fierce torment unquell'd,
5. Howling and giving the dark command; in his soul stood the purple plague,
6. Tugging his iron manacles, and piercing through the seven towers dark and sickly,25
7. Panting over the prisoners like a wolf gorg'd; and the den nam'd Horror held a man
8. Chain'd hand and foot, round his neck an iron band, bound to the impregnable wall.
9. In his soul was the serpent coil'd round in his heart, hid from the light, as in a cleft rock;
10. And the man was confin'd for a writing prophetic: in the tower nam'd Darkness, was a man
11. Pinion'd down to the stone floor, his strong bones scarce cover'd with sinews; the iron rings30
12. Were forg'd smaller as the flesh decay'd, a mask of iron on his face hid the lineaments
    

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1. Of ancient Kings, and the frown of the eternal lion was hid from the oppressed earth.
2. In the tower named Bloody, a skeleton yellow remained in its chains on its couch
3. Of stone, once a man who refus'd to sign papers of abhorrence; the eternal worm
4. Crept in the skeleton. In the den nam'd Religion, a loathsome sick woman, bound down35
5. To a bed of straw; the seven diseases of earth, like birds of prey, stood on the couch,
6. And fed on the body. She refus'd to be whore to the Minister, and with a knife smote him.
7. In the tower nam'd Order, an old man, whose white beard cover'd the stone floor like weeds
8. On margin of the sea, shrivel'd up by heat of day and cold of night; his den was short
9. And narrow as a grave dug for a child, with spiders webs wove, and with slime40
10. Of ancient horrors cover'd, for snakes and scorpions are his companions; harmless they breathe
11. His sorrowful breath: he, by conscience urg'd, in the city of Paris rais'd a pulpit,
    

288

1. And taught wonders to darken'd souls. In the den nam'd Destiny a strong man sat,
2. His feet and hands cut off, and his eyes blinded; round his middle a chain and a band
3. Fasten'd into the wall; fancy gave him to see an image of despair in his den,45
4. Eternally rushing round, like a man on his hands and knees, day and night without rest.
5. He was friend to the favourite. In the seventh tower, nam'd the tower of God, was a man
6. Mad, with chains loose, which he dragg'd up and down; fed with hopes year by year, he pined
7. For liberty; vain hopes: his reason decay'd, and the world of attraction in his bosom
8. Center'd, and the rushing of chaos overwhelm'd his dark soul. He was confin'd50
9. For a letter of advice to a King, and his ravings in winds are heard over Versailles.
   

1. But the dens shook and trembled, the prisoners look up and assay to shout; they listen,
2. Then laugh in the dismal den, then are silent, and a light walks round the dark towers.
   

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1. For the Commons convene in the Hall of the Nation; like spirits of fire in the beautiful
2. Porches of the Sun, to plant beauty in the desart craving abyss, they gleam55
3. On the anxious city; all children new-born first behold them; tears are fled,
4. And they nestle in earth-breathing bosoms. So the city of Paris, their wives and children,
5. Look up to the morning Senate, and visions of sorrow leave pensive streets.
   

1. But heavy brow'd jealousies lower o'er the Louvre, and terrors of ancient Kings
2. Descend from the gloom and wander thro' the palace, and weep round the King and his Nobles.60
3. While loud thunders roll, troubling the dead, Kings are sick throughout all the earth,
4. The voice ceas'd: the Nation sat: And the triple forg'd fetters of times were unloos'd.
5. The voice ceas'd: the Nation sat: but ancient darkness and trembling wander thro' the palace.
   

1. As in day of havock and routed battle, among thick shades of discontent,
   

289

1. On the soul-skirting mountains of sorrow cold waving: the Nobles fold round the King,65
2. Each stern visage lock'd up as with strong bands of iron, each strong limb bound down as with marble,
3. In flames of red wrath burning, bound in astonishment a quarter of an hour.
   

1. Then the King glow'd: his Nobles fold round, like the sun of old time quench'd in clouds;
2. In their darkness the King stood, his heart flam'd, and utter'd a with'ring heat, and these words burst forth:
   

1. The nerves of five thousand years ancestry tremble, shaking the heavens of France;70
2. Throbs of anguish beat on brazen war foreheads, they descend and look into their graves.
   

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1. I see thro' darkness, thro' clouds rolling round me, the spirits of ancient Kings
2. Shivering over their bleached bones; round them their counsellors lookup from the dust,
3. Crying: Hide from the living! Our and our prisoners shout in the open field, t
4. Hide in the nether earth! Hide in the bones! Sit obscured in the hollow scull.75
5. Our flesh is corrupted, and we away. We are not numbered among the living. Let us hide
6. In stones, among roots of trees. The prisoners have burst their dens,
7. Let us hide; let us hide in the dust; and plague and wrath and tempest shall cease.
   

1. He ceas'd, silent pond'ring, his brows folded heavy, his forehead was in affliction,
2. Like the central fire: from the window he saw his vast armies spread over the hills,80
3. Breathing red fires from man to man, and from horse to horse; then his bosom
4. Expanded like starry heaven, he sat down: his Nobles took their ancient seats.
   

1. Then the ancientest Peer, Duke of Burgundy, rose from the Monarch's right hand, red as wines
2. From his mountains, an odor of war, like a ripe vineyard, rose from his garments,
3. And the chamber became as a clouded sky; o'er the council he stretch'd his red limbs, 85
   

290

1. 85
2. Cloth'd in flames of crimson, as a ripe vineyard stretches over sheaves of corn,
3. The fierce Duke hung over the council; around him croud, weeping in his burning robe,
4. A bright cloud of infant souls; his words fall like purple autumn on the sheaves.
   

1. Shall this marble built heaven become a clay cottage, this earth an oak stool, and these mowers
2. From the Atlantic mountains, mow down all this great starry harvest of six thousand years?90
3. And shall Necker, the hind of Geneva, stretch out his crook'd sickle o'er fertile France,
   

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1. Till our purple and crimson is faded to russet, and the kingdoms of earth bound in sheaves,
2. And the ancient forests of chivalry hewn, and the joys of the combat burnt for fuel;
3. Till the power and dominion is rent from the pole, sword and scepter from sun and moon,
4. The law and gospel from fire and air, and eternal reason and science 95
5. From the deep and the solid, and man lay his faded head down on the rock
6. Of eternity, where the eternal lion and eagle remain to devour?
7. This to prevent, urg'd by cries in day, and prophetic dreams hovering in night,
8. To enrich the lean earth that craves, furrow'd with plows; whose seed is departing from her;
9. Thy Nobles have gather'd thy starry hosts round this rebellious city,100
10. To rouze up the ancient forests of Europe, with clarions of cloud breathing war; t
11. To hear the horse neigh to the drum and trumpet, and the trumpet and war shout reply;
12. Stretch the hand that beckons the eagles of heaven; they cry over Paris, and wait
13. Till Fayette point his finger to Versailles; the eagles of heaven must have their prey. t
    

1. The King lean'd on his mountains, then lifted his head and look'd on his armies, that shone105
2. Through heaven, tinging morning with beams of blood, then turning to Burgundy troubled:
   

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1. Burgundy, thou wast born a lion! My soul is o'ergrown with distress
   

291

1. For the Nobles of France, and dark mists roll round me and blot the writing of God
2. Written in my bosom. Necker rise, leave the kingdom, thy life is surrounded with snares;
3. We have call'd an Assembly, but not to destroy; we have given gifts, not to the weak;110
4. I hear rushing of muskets, and bright'ning of swords, and visages redd'ning with war, t
5. Frowning and looking up from brooding villages and every dark'ning city;
6. Ancient wonders frown over the kingdom, and cries of women and babes are heard,
7. And tempests of doubt roll around me, and fierce sorrows, because of the Nobles of France;
8. Depart, answer not, for the tempest must fall, as in years that are passed away.115
   

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1. He ceas'd, and burn'd silent, red clouds roll round Necker, a weeping is heard o'er the palace;
2. Like a dark cloud Necker paus'd, and like thunder on the just man's burial day he paus'd;
3. Silent sit the winds, silent the meadows, while the husbandman and woman of weakness
4. And bright children look after him into the grave, and water his clay with love,
5. Then turn towards pensive fields; so Necker paus'd, and his visage was cover'd with clouds.120
   

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1. Dropping a tear the old man his place left, and when he was gone out
2. He set his face toward Geneva to flee, and the women and children of the city
3. Kneel'd round him and kissed his garments and wept; he stood a short space in the street,
4. Then fled; and the whole city knew he was fled to Geneva, and the Senate heard it.
   

1. But the Nobles burn'd wrathful at Necker's departure, and wreath'd their clouds and waters125
2. In dismal volumes; as risen from beneath the Archbishop of Paris arose,
3. In the rushing of scales and hissing of flames and rolling of sulphurous smoke.
   

1. Hearken, Monarch of France, to the terrors of heaven, and let thy soul drink of my counsel;
   

292

1. Sleeping at midnight in my golden tower, the repose of the labours of men
2. Wav'd its solemn cloud over my head. I awoke; a cold hand passed over my limbs, and behold130
3. An aged form, white as snow, hov'ring in mist, weeping in the uncertain light,
   

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1. Dim the form almost faded, tears fell down the shady cheeks; at his feet many cloth'd
2. In white robes, strewn in air sensers and harps, silent they lay prostrated;
3. Beneath, in the awful void, myriads descending and weeping thro' dismal winds,
4. Endless the shady train shiv'ring descended, from the gloom where the aged form wept.135
5. At length, trembling, the vision sighing, in a low voice, like the voice of the grasshopper whisper'd:
6. My groaning is heard in the abbeys, and God, so long worshipp'd, departs as a lamp
7. Without oil; for a curse is heard hoarse thro' the land, from a godless race
8. Descending to beasts; they look downward and labour and forget my holy law;
9. The sound of prayer fails from lips of flesh, and the holy hymn from thicken'd tongues;140
10. For the bars of Chaos are burst; her millions prepare their fiery way
11. Thro' the orbed abode of the holy dead, to root up and pull down and remove,
12. And Nobles and Clergy shall fail from before me, and my cloud and vision be no more;
13. The mitre become black, the crown vanish, and the scepter and ivory staff
14. Of the ruler wither among bones of death; they shall consume from the thistly field,145
15. And the sound of the bell, and voice of the sabbath, and singing of the holy choir,
16. Is turn'd into songs of the harlot in day, and cries of the virgin in night.
17. They shall drop at the plow and faint at the harrow, unredeem'd, unconfess'd, unpardon'd;
18. The priest rot in his surplice by the lawless lover, the holy beside the accursed,
19. The King, frowning in purple, beside the grey plowman, and their worms embrace together.150
20. The voice ceas'd, a groan shook my chamber; I slept, for the cloud of repose returned,
    

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1. But morning dawn'd heavy upon me. I rose to bring my Prince heaven utter'd counsel.
2. Hear my counsel, O King, and send forth thy Generals, the command of heaven is upon thee;
3. Then do thou command, O King, to shut up this Assembly in their final home;
   

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1. Let thy soldiers possess this city of rebels, that threaten to bathe their feet155
2. In the blood of Nobility; trampling the heart and the head; let the Bastile devour
3. These rebellious seditious; seal them up, O Anointed, in everlasting chains.
4. He sat down, a damp cold pervaded the Nobles, and monsters of worlds unknown
5. Swam round them, watching to be delivered; When Aumont, whose chaos-born soul
6. Eternally wand'ring a Comet and swift-failing fire, pale enter'd the chamber;160
7. Before the red Council he stood, like a man that returns from hollow graves.
   

1. Awe surrounded, alone thro' the army a fear and a with'ring blight blown by the north;
2. The Abbe de Seyes from the Nation's Assembly. O Princes and>
3. Unquestioned, unhindered, awe-struck are the soldiers; a dark shadowy man in the form
4. Of King Henry the Fourth walks before him in fires, the captains like men bound in chains165
5. Stood still as he pass'd, he is come to the Louvre, O King, with a message to thee;
6. The strong soldiers tremble, the horses their manes bow, and the guards of thy palace are fled.
   

1. Up rose awful in his majestic beams Bourbon's strong Duke; his proud sword from his thigh
2. Drawn, he threw on the Earth! the Duke of Bretagne and the Earl of Borgogne
3. Rose inflam'd, to and fro in the chamber, like thunder-clouds ready to burst.170
   

1. What damp all our fires, O spectre of Henry, said Bourbon; and rend the flames
2. From the head of our King! Rise, Monarch of France; command me, and I will lead
   

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1. This army of superstition at large, that the ardor of noble souls quenchless,
2. May yet burn in France, nor our shoulders be plow'd with the furrows of poverty.
   

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1. Then Orleans generous as mountains arose, and unfolded his robe, and put forth175
2. His benevolent hand, looking on the Archbishop, who changed as pale as lead;
3. Would have risen but could not, his voice issued harsh grating; instead of words harsh hissings
4. Shook the chamber; he ceas'd abash'd. Then Orleans spoke, all was silent,
5. He breath'd on them, and said, O princes of fire, whose flames are for growth not consuming,
6. Fear not dreams, fear not visions, nor be you dismay'd with sorrows which flee at the morning;180
7. Can the fires of Nobility ever be quench'd, or the stars by a stormy night?
8. Is the body diseas'd when the members are healthful? can the man be bound in sorrow
9. Whose ev'ry function is fill'd with its fiery desire? can the soul whose brain and heart
10. Cast their rivers in equal tides thro' the great Paradise, languish because the feet
11. Hands, head, bosom, and parts of love, follow their high breathing joy?185
12. And can Nobles be bound whe the people are free, or God weep when his children are happy?
13. Have you never seen Fayette's forehead, or Mirabeau's eyes, or the shoulders of Target,
14. Or Bailly the strong foot of France, or Clermont the terrible voice, and your robes
15. Still retain their own crimson? mine never yet faded, for fire delights in its form.
16. But go, merciless man! enter into the infinite labyrinth of another's brain190
17. Ere thou measure the circle that he shall run. Go, thou cold recluse,into the fires
18. Of another's high flaming rich bosom, and return unconsum'd, and write laws.
19. If thou canst not do this, doubt thy theories, learn to consider all men as thy equals,
20. Thy brethren, and not as thy foot or thy hand, unless thou first fearest to hurt them.
    

295

1. The Monarch stood up, the strong Duke his sword to its golden scabbard return'd,195
2. The Nobles sat round like clouds on the mountains, when the storm is passing away.
   

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1. Let the Nation's Ambassador come among Nobles, like incense of the valley.
   

1. Aumont went out and stood in the hollow porch, his ivory wand in his hand;
2. A cold orb of disdain revolv'd round him, and covered his soul with snows eternal.
3. Great Henry's soul shuddered, a whirlwind and fire tore furious from his angry bosom;200
4. He indignant departed on horses of heav'n. Then the Abbe de Seyes rais'd his feet
5. On the steps of the Louvre, like a voice of God following a storm, the Abbe follow'd
6. The pale fires of Aumont into the chamber, as a father that bows to his son;
7. Whose rich fields inheriting spread their old glory, so the voice of the people bowed
8. Before the ancient seat of the kingdom and mountains to be renewed.205
   

1. Hear, O Heavens of France, the voice of the people, arising from valley and hill,
2. O'erclouded with power. Hear the voice of vallies, the voice of meek cities,
3. Mourning oppressed on village and field, till the village and field is a waste.
4. For the husbandman weeps at blights of the fife, and blasting of trumpets consume
5. The souls of mild France; the pale mother nourishes her child to the deadly slaughter.210
6. When the heavens were seal'd with a stone, and the terrible sun clos'd in an orb, and the moon
7. Rent from the nations, and each star appointed for watchers of night,
8. The millions of spirits immortal were bound in the ruins of sulphur heaven
9. To wander inslav'd; black, deprest in dark ignorance, kept in awe with the whip,
10. To worship terrors, bred from the blood of revenge and breath of desire,215
11. In beastial forms; or more terrible men, till the dawn of our peaceful morning,
    

296

1. Till dawn, till morning, till the breaking of clouds, and swelling of winds, and the universal voice,
   

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1. Till man raise his darken'd limbs out of the eaves of night, his eyes and his heart
2. Expand: where is space! where O Sun is thy dwelling! where thy tent, O faint slumb'rous Moon,
3. Then the valleys of France shall cry to the soldier, throw down thy sword and musket,220
4. And run and embrace the meek peasant. Her nobles shall hear and shall weep, and put off
5. The red robe of terror, the crown of oppression, the shoes of contempt, and unbuckle
6. The girdle of war from the desolate earth; then the Priest in his thund'rous cloud
7. Shall weep, bending to earth embracing the valleys, and putting his hand to the plow,
8. Shall say, no more I curse thee; but now I will bless thee: No more in deadly black225
9. Devour thy labour; nor lift up a cloud in thy heavens, O laborious plow,
10. That the wild raging millions, that meander in forests, and howl in law blasted wastes,
11. Strength madden'd with slavery, honesty, bound in the dens of superstition,
12. May sing in the village, and shout in the harvest, and woo in pleasant gardens,
13. Their once savage loves, now beaming with knowledge, with gentle awe adorned;230
14. And the saw, and the hammer, the chisel, the pencil, the pen, and the instruments
15. Of heavenly song sound in the wilds once forbidden, to teach the laborious plowman
16. And shepherd deliver'd from clouds of war, from pestilence, from night-fear, from murder,
17. From falling, from stifling, from hunger, from cold, from slander, discontent and sloth;
18. That walk in beasts and birds of night, driven back by the sandy desart 235
19. Like pestilent fogs round cities of men: and the happy earth sing in its course,
20. The mild peaceable nations be opened to heav'n, and men walk with their fathers in bliss.
21. Then hear the first voice of the morning: Depart, O clouds of night, and no more
    

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1. Return; be withdrawn cloudy war, troops of warriors depart, nor around our peaceable city
2. Breathe fires, but ten miles from Paris, let all be peace, nor a soldier be seen.240
   

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1. He ended; the wind of contention arose and the clouds cast their shadows, the Princes
2. Like the mountains of France, whose aged trees utter an awful voice, and their branches
3. Are shatter'd, till gradual a murmur is heard descending into the valley,
4. Like a voice in the vineyards of Burgundy, when grapes are shaken on grass;
5. Like the low voice of the labouring man, instead of the shout of joy; 245
6. And the palace appear'd like a cloud driven abroad; blood ran down, the ancient pillars,
7. Thro' the cloud a deep thunder, the Duke of Burgundy, delivers the King's command.
   

1. Seest thou yonder dark castle, that moated around, keeps this city of Paris in awe.
2. Go command yonder tower, saying, Bastile depart, and take thy shadowy course.
3. Overstep the dark river, thou terrible tower, and get thee up into the country ten miles.250
4. And thou black southern prison, move along the dusky road to Versailles; there
5. Frown on the gardens, and if it obey and depart, then the King will disband
6. This war-breathing army; but if it refuse, let the Nation's Assembly thence learn,
7. That this army of terrors, that prison of horrors, are the bands of the murmuring kingdom.
   

1. Like the morning star arising above the black waves, when a shipwreck'd soul sighs for morning,255
2. Thro' the ranks, silent, walk'd the Ambassador back to the Nation's Assembly, and told
3. The unwelcome message; silent they heard; then a thunder roll'd round loud and louder,
4. Like pillars of ancient halls, and ruins of times remote they sat.
5. Like a voice from the dim pillars Mirabeau rose; the thunders subsided away;
   

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1. A rushing of wings around him was heard as he brighten'd, and cried out aloud, 260
   

298

1. 260
2. Where is the General of the Nation? the walls re-echo'd: Where is the General of the Nation?
   

1. Sudden as the bullet wrapp'd in his fire, when brazen cannons rage in the field,
2. Fayette sprung from his seat saying, Ready! then bowing like clouds, man toward man, the Assembly
3. Like a council of ardors seated in clouds, bending over the cities of men,
4. And over the armies of strife, where their children are marshall'd together to battle;265
5. They murmuring divide, while the wind sleeps beneath, and the numbers are counted in silence,
6. While they vote the removal of War, and the pestilence weighs his red wings in the sky.
   

1. So Fayette stood silent among the Assembly, and the votes were given and the numbers numb'red;
2. And the vote was, that Fayette should order the army to remove ten miles from Paris.
   

1. The aged sun rises appall'd from dark mountains, and gleams a dusky beam270
2. On Fayette, but on the whole army a shadow, for a cloud on the eastern hills
3. Hover'd, and stretch'd across the city and across the army, and across the Louvre,
4. Like a flame of fire he stood before dark ranks, and before expecting captains
5. On pestilent vapours around him flow frequent spectres of religious men weeping
6. In winds driven out of the abbeys, their naked souls shiver in keen open air,275
7. Driven out by the fiery cloud of Voltaire, and thund'rous rocks of Rousseau,
8. They dash like foam against the ridges of the army, uttering a faint feeble cry.
   

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1. Gleams of fire streak the heavens, and of sulpur the earth, from Fayette as he lifted his hand;
2. But silent he stood, till all the officers rush round him like waves
3. Round the shore of France, in day of the British flag, when heavy cannons280
4. Affright the coasts, and the peasant looks over the sea and wipes a tear;
5. Over his head the soul of Voltaire shone fiery, and over the army Rousseau his white cloud
   

299

1. Unfolded, on souls of war-living terrors silent list'ning toward Fayette, t
2. His voice loud inspir'd by liberty, and by spirits of the dead, thus thunder'd.
   

1. The Nation's Assembly command, that the Army remove ten miles from Paris;285
2. Nor a soldier be seen in road or in field, till the Nation command return.
   

1. Rushing along iron ranks glittering the officers each to his station
2. Depart, and the stern captain strokes his proud steed, and in front of his solid ranks
3. Waits the sound of trumpet; captains of foot stand each by his cloudy drum;
4. Then the drum beats, and the steely ranks move, and trumpets rejoice in the sky.290
5. Dark cavalry like clouds fraught with thunder ascend on the hills, and bright infantry, rank
6. Behind rank, to the soul shaking drum and shrill fife along the roads glitter like fire.
7. The noise of trampling, the wind of trumpets, smote the palace walls with a blast.
8. Pale and cold sat the king in midst of his peers, and his noble heart stink, and his pulses
9. Suspended their motion, a darkness crept over his eye-lids, and chill cold sweat295
10. Sat round his brows faded in faint death, his peers pale like mountains of the dead,
11. Cover'd with dews of night, groaning, shaking forests and floods. The cold newt
    

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1. And snake, and damp toad, on the kingly foot crawl, or croak on the awful knee,
2. Shedding their slime, in folds of the robe the crown'd adder builds and hisses
3. From stony brows; shaken the forests of France, sick the kings of the nations,300
4. And the bottoms of the world were open'd, and the graves of arch-angels unseal'd;
5. The enormous dead, lift up their pale fires and look over the rocky cliffs.
   

1. A faint heat from their fires reviv'd the cold Louvre; the frozen blood reflow'd.
2. Awful up rose the king, him the peers follow'd, they saw the courts of the Palace
   

300

1. Forsaken, and Paris without a soldier, silent, for the noise was gone up305
2. And follow'd the army, and the Senate in peace, sat beneath morning's beam.
   

END OF THE FIRST BOOK. [No further books are extant] b2.3

THE FOUR ZOAS t

The torments of Love & Jealousy in
The Death and Judgement
of Albion the Ancient Man

by William Blake 1797
[ page2 ]
Rest before Labour
[ page3 ]
[Greek text]
4 lines of Greek text; Ephesians 6: 12 t

1. 
   

b2.3.1

VALA
Night the First

1. The Song of the Aged Mother which shook the heavens with wrath t
2. Hearing the march of long resounding strong heroic Verse
3. Marshalld in order for the day of Intellectual Battle
   

1. Four Mighty Ones are in every Man; a Perfect Unity John XVII c. 21 & 22 & 23 v
2. Cannot Exist. but from the Universal Brotherhood of Eden John I c. 14. v5
   

301

1. The Universal Man. To Whom be Glory Evermore Amen
   

1. [ What ]are the Natures of those Living Creatures the Heavenly Father only
2. [ Knoweth ]no Individual [ Knoweth nor ]Can know in all Eternity t
   

1. Los was the fourth immortal starry one, & in the Earth
2. Of a bright Universe Empery attended day & night 10
3. Days & nights of revolving joy, Urthona was his name
   

[ page4 ]

1. In Eden; in the Auricular Nerves of Human life t
2. Which is the Earth of Eden, he his Emanations propagated
3. Fairies of Albion afterwards Gods of the Heathen, Daughter of Beulah Sing
4. His fall into Division & his Resurrection to Unity
5. His fall into the Generation of Decay & Death & his Regeneration by the Resurrection from the dead t5
   

1. Begin with Tharmas Parent power. darkning in the West
   

1. Lost! Lost! Lost! are my Emanations Enion O Enion t
2. We are become a Victim to the Living We hide in secret t
3. I have hidden Jerusalem in Silent Contrition O Pity Me t
4. I will build thee a Labyrinth also O pity me O Enion t10
5. Why hast thou taken sweet Jerusalem from my inmost Soul t
6. Let her Lay secret in the Soft recess of darkness & silence
7. It is not Love I bear to It is Pity t
8. She hath taken refuge in my bosom & I cannot cast her out.
   

1. The Men have recieved their death wounds & their Emanations are fled 15
2. To me for refuge & I cannot turn them out for Pitys sake
   

1. Enion said—Thy fear has made me tremble thy terrors have surrounded me t
2. All Love is lost Terror succeeds & Hatred instead of Love
3. And stern demands of Right & Duty instead of Liberty.
4. Once thou wast to Me the loveliest son of heaven—But now 20
   

1. Why art thou Terrible and yet I love thee in thy terror till
2. I am almost Extinct & soon shall be a Shadow in Oblivion
3. Unless some way can be found that I may look upon thee & live
4. Hide me some Shadowy semblance. secret whispring in my Ear
5. In secret of soft wings. in mazes of delusive beauty 25
6. I have lookd into the secret soul of him I lovd
7. And in the Dark recesses found Sin & cannot return
   

1. Trembling & pale sat Tharmas weeping in his clouds
   

3O2

1. Why wilt thou Examine every little fibre of my soul
2. Spreading them out before the Sun like Stalks of flax to dry 30
3. The infant joy is beautiful but its anatomy
4. Horrible Ghast & Deadly nought shalt thou find in it
5. But Death Despair & Everlasting brooding Melancholy
   

1. Thou wilt go mad with horror if thou dost Examine thus
2. Every moment of my secret hours Yea I know 35
3. That I have sinnd & that my Emanations are become harlots
4. I am already distracted at their deeds & if I look
5. Upon them more Despair will bring self murder on my soul
6. O Enion thou art thyself a root growing in hell
7. Tho thus heavenly beautiful to draw me to destruction40
   

1. Sometimes I think thou art a flower expanding
2. Sometimes I think thou art fruit breaking from its bud
3. In dreadful dolor & pain & I am like an atom
4. A Nothing left in darkness yet I am an identity
5. I wish & feel & weep & groan Ah terrible terrible45
   

[ page5 ]

1. In Eden,Females sleep the winter in soft silken veils t
2. Woven by their own hands to hide them in the darksom grave
3. But Males immortal live renewd by female deaths. in soft
4. Delight they die & they revive in spring with music & songs
5. Enion said Farewell I die I hide. from thy searching eyes5
   

1. So saying—From her bosom weaving soft in Sinewy threads
2. A tabernacle for Jerusalem she sat among the Rocks t
3. Singing her lamentation. Tharmas groand among his Clouds
4. Weeping, then bending from his Clouds he stoopd his innocent head t
5. And stretching out his holy hand in the vast Deep sublime10
6. Turnd round the circle of Destiny with tears & bitter sighs
7. And said. Return O Wanderer when the Day of Clouds is oer
   

1. So saying he sunk down into the sea a pale white corse
2. In torment he sunk down & flowd among her filmy Woof t
3. His Spectre issuing from his feet in flames of fire15
4. In gnawing pain drawn out by her lovd fingers every nerve t
5. She counted. every vein & lacteal threading them among
6. Her woof of terror. Terrified & drinking tears of woe
7. Shuddring she wove—nine days & nights Sleepless her food was tears
8. Wondring she saw her woof begin to animate. & not20
9. As Garments woven subservient to her hands but having a will
10. Of its own perverse & wayward Enion lovd & wept
    

1. Nine days she labourd at her work. & nine dark sleepless nights
2. But on the tenth trembling morn the Circle of Destiny Complete t
3. Round rolld the Sea Englobing in a watry Globe self balancd25
   

3O3

1. A Frowning Continent appeard Where Enion in the Desart
2. Terrified in her own Creation viewing her woven shadow
3. Sat in a dread intoxication of Repentance & Contrition t
   

1. There is from Great Eternity a mild & pleasant rest
2. Namd Beulah a Soft Moony Universe feminine lovely 30
3. Pure mild & Gentle given in Mercy to those who sleep
4. Eternally. Created by the Lamb of God around
5. On all sides within & without the Universal Man
6. The Daughters of Beulah follow sleepers in all their Dreams t
7. Creating Spaces lest they fall into Eternal Death35
   

1. The Circle of Destiny complete they gave to it a Space
2. And namd the Space Ulro & brooded over it in care & love
3. They said The Spectre is in every man insane & most
4. Deformd Thro the three heavens descending in fury & fire
5. We meet it with our Songs & loving blandishments & give 40
6. To it a form of vegetation But this Spectre of Tharmas
7. Is Eternal Death What shall we do O God pity & help t
8. So spoke they & closd the Gate of the Tongue in trembling fear t
   

1. What have I done! said Enion accursed wretch! What deed. t
2. Is this a deed of Love I know what I have done. I know45
3. Too late now to repent. Love is changd to deadly Hate t
4. A [ ll ]life is blotted out & I alone remain possessd with Fears t
5. I see the Shadow of the dead within my Soul wandering t
6. In darkness & solitude forming Seas of Doubt & rocks of Repentance t
7. Already are my Eyes reverted. all that I behold50
8. Within my Soul has lost its splendor & a brooding Fear
9. Shadows me oer & drives me outward to a world of woe
10. So waild she trembling before her own Created Phantasm t
    

[ page6 ]

1. She drew the Spectre forth from Tharmas in her shining loom t
2. Of Vegetation weeping in wayward infancy & sullen youth
3. Listning to her soft lamentations soon his tongue began
4. To Lisp out words & soon in masculine strength augmenting he
5. Reard up a form of gold & stood upon the glittering rock 5
6. A shadowy human form winged & in his depths
7. The dazzlings as of gems shone clear, rapturous in fury t
8. Glorying in his own eyes Exalted in terrific Pride t
9. The Spectre thus spoke. Who art thou Diminutive husk & shell t
10. If thou hast sinnd & art polluted know that I am pure t10
11. And unpolluted & will bring to rigid strict account
12. All thy past deeds [ So ]hear what I tell thee! mark it well! remember! t
13. This world is Thine in which thou dwellest that within thy soul t
14. That dark & dismal infinite where Thought roams up & down
    

3O4

1. Is Mine & there thou goest when with one Sting of my tongue t15
2. Envenomd thou rolist inwards to the place whence I emergd t
   

1. She trembling answerd Wherefore was I born & what am I t
2. I thought to weave a Covering for my Sins from wrath of Tharmas t
   

[ page7 ]

1. I thought Tharmas a Sinner & I murderd his Emanations t
2. His secret loves & Graces Ah me wretched What have I done t
3. For now I find that all those Emanations were my Childrens Souls t
4. And I have murderd them with Cruelty above atonement t
5. Those that remain have fled from my cruelty into the desarts 5
6. And thou the delusive tempter to these deeds sittest before me t
7. In this thy world not mine tho dark I feel my world within t
   

1. Mingling his horrible brightness with her tender limbs then high she soard t
2. Above the ocean; a bright wonder that Nature shudder'd at t
3. Half Woman & half Spectre, all his lovely changing colours mix t10
4. With her fair crystal clearness; in her lips & cheeks his poisons rose t
5. In blushes like the morning, and his scaly armour softening t
6. A monster lovely in the heavens or wandering on the earth, t
   

[ page8 ]

1. Till with fierce pain she brought forth on the rocks her sorrow & woe
2. Behold two little Infants wept upon the desolate wind. t
   

1. The first state weeping they began & helpless as a wave
2. Beaten along its sightless way growing enormous in its motion to
3. Its utmost goal, till strength from Enion like richest summer shining t5
4. Raisd the bright boy & girl with glories from their heads out beaming t
5. Drawing forth drooping mothers pity drooping mothers sorrow t
   

1. They sulk upon her breast her hair became like snow on mountains t
2. Weaker & weaker, weeping woful, wearier and wearier
3. Faded & her bright Eyes decayd melted with pity & love 10
   

[ page9 ]

1. And then they wanderd far away she sought for them in vain t
2. In weeping blindness stumbling she followd them oer rocks & mountains
3. Rehumanizing from the Spectre in pangs of maternal love
4. Ingrate they wanderd scorning her drawing her Spectrous Life
5. Repelling her away & away by a dread repulsive power 5
6. Into Non Entity revolving round in dark despair.
7. And drawing in the Spectrous life in pride and haughty joy t
8. Thus Enion gave them all her spectrous life t
   

1. Then Eno a daughter of Beulah took a Moment of Time t
2. And drew it out to Seven thousand years with much care & affliction t10
3. And many tears & in Every year made windows into Eden t
   

3O5

1. She also took an atom of space & opend its center
2. Into Infinitude & ornamented it with wondrous art
3. Astonishd sat her Sisters of Beulah to see her soft affections
4. To Enion & her children & they ponderd these things wondring 15
5. And they Alternate kept watch over the Youthful terrors
6. They saw not yet the Hand Divine for it was not yet reveald
7. But they went on in Silent Hope & Feminine repose
   

1. But Los & Enitharmon delighted in the Moony spaces of Eno t
2. Nine Times they livd among the forests, feeding on sweet fruits 20
3. And nine bright Spaces wanderd weaving mazes of delight
4. Snaring the wild Goats for their milk they eat the flesh of Lambs
5. A male & female naked & ruddy as the pride of summer
6. Alternate Love & Hate his breast; hers Scorn & Jealousy
7. In embryon passions. they kiss'd not nor embrac'd for shame & fear t25
8. His head beamd light & in his vigorous voice was prophecy
9. He could controll the times & seasons, & the days & years
10. She could controll the spaces, regions, desart, flood & forest
11. But had no power to weave a Veil of covering for her Sins
12. She drave the Females all away from Los30
13. And Los drave all the Males from her away
14. They wanderd long, till they sat down upon the margind sea.
15. Conversing with the visions of Beulah in dark slumberous bliss t
    

1. But the two youthful wonders wanderd in the world of Tharmas t
2. Thy name is Enitharmon; said the fierce prophetic boy t35
3. While thy mild voice fills all these Caverns with sweet harmony
4. O how our Parents sit & mourn in their silent secret bowers t
   

[ page1O ]

1. But Enitharmon answerd with a dropping tear & frowning t
2. Dark as a dewy morning when the crimson light appears t
3. To make us happy let them weary their immortal powers t
4. While we draw in their sweet delights while we return them scorn t
5. On scorn to feed our discontent; for if we grateful prove5
6. They will withhold sweet love, whose food is thorns & bitter roots.
7. We hear the warlike clarions we view the turning spheres t
8. Yet Thou in indolence reposest holding me in bonds
9. Hear! I will sing a Song of Death! it is a Song of Vala! t
10. The Fallen Man takes his repose: Urizen sleeps in the porch t10
11. Luvah and Vala woke & flew up from the Human Heart t
12. Into the Brain; from thence upon the pillow Vala slumber'd.
13. And Luvah siez'd the Horses of Light, & rose into the Chariot of Day
14. Sweet laughter siezd me in my sleep! silent & close I laughd t
15. For in the visions of Vala I walkd with the mighty Fallen One t15
16. I heard his voice among the branches, & among sweet flowers. t
    

306

1. Why is the light of Enitharmon darken'd in dewy morn t
2. Why is the silence of Enitharmon a terror & her smile a whirlwind t
3. Uttering this darkness in my halls, in the pillars of my Holy-ones
4. Why dost thou weep as Vala? & wet thy veil with dewy tears, t20
5. In slumbers of my night-repose, infusing a false morning?
6. Driving the Female Emanations all away from Los t
7. I have refusd to look upon the Universal Vision
8. And wilt thou slay with death him who devotes himself to thee t
9. Once born for the sport & amusement of Man now born to drink up all his Powers25
   

[ page11 ]

1. I heard the sounding sea; I heard the voice weaker and weaker;
2. The voice came & went like a dream, I awoke in my sweet bliss.
3. Then Los smote her upon the Earth twas long eer she revivd
4. He answer'd, darkning more with indignation hid in smiles t
   

1. I die not Enitharmon tho thou singst thy Song of Death t5
2. Nor shalt thou me torment For I behold the Fallen Man t
3. Seeking to comfort Vala, she will not be comforted t
4. She rises from his throne and seeks the shadows of her garden
5. Weeping for Luvah lost, in the bloody beams of your false morning
6. Sickning lies the Fallen Man his head sick his heart faint t10
7. Mighty atchievement of your power! Beware the punishment
8. I see, invisible descend into the Gardens of Vala
9. Luvah walking on the winds, I see the invisible knife
10. I see the shower of blood: I see the swords & spears of futurity
11. Tho in the Brain of Man we live, & in his circling Nerves. 15
12. Tho' this bright world of all our joy is in the Human Brain.
13. Where Urizen & all his Hosts hang their immortal lamps
14. Thou neer shalt leave this cold expanse where watry Tharmas mourns
    

1. So spoke Los. Scorn & Indignation rose upon Enitharmon
2. Then Enitharmon reddning fierce stretchd her immortal hands t20
   

1. Descend O Urizen descend with horse & chariots
2. Threaten not me O visionary thine the punishment
3. The Human Nature shall no more remain nor Human acts
4. Form the rebellious Spirits of Heaven. but War & Princedom & Victory & Blood t
   

[ page12 ]

1. Night darkend as she spoke! a shuddring ran from East to West t
2. A Groan was heard on high. The warlike clarions ceast. the Spirits
3. Of Luvah & Vala shudderd in their Orb: an orb of blood! t
   

1. Eternity groand & was troubled at the Image of Eternal Death
2. The Wandering Man bow'd his faint head and Urizen descended5
3. And the one must have murderd the other if he had not descended t
   

307

1. Indignant muttering low thunders; Urizen descended
2. Gloomy sounding, Now I am God from Eternity to Eternity
   

1. Sullen sat Los plotting Revenge. Silent he eye'd the Prince t
2. Of Light. Silent the prince of Light viewd Los. at length a brooded t10
3. Smile broke from Urizen for Enitharmon brightend more & more
4. Sullen he lowerd on Enitharmon but he smild on Los
   

1. Saying Thou art the Lord of Luvah into thine hands I give
2. The prince of Love the murderer his soul is in thine hands
3. Pity not Vala for she pitied not the Eternal Man 15
4. Nor pity thou the cries of Luvah. Lo these starry hosts
5. They are thy servants if thou wilt obey my awful Law
   

1. Los answerd furious art thou one of those who when most complacent
2. Mean mischief most. If you are such Lo! I am also such
3. One must be master. try thy Arts I also will try mine20
4. For I percieve Thou hast Abundance which I claim as mine
   

1. Urizen startled stood but not Long soon he cried
2. Obey my voice young Demon I am God from Eternity to Eternity
   1. Thus Urizen spoke collected in himself in awful pride
   2. Art thou a visionary of Jesus the soft delusion of Eternity 25
   3. Lo I am God the terrible destroyer & not the Saviour
   4. Why should the Divine Vision compell the sons of Eden
   5. to forego each his own delight to war against his Spectre t
   6. The Spectre is the Man the rest is only delusion & fancy
   7. So spoke the Prince of Light & sat beside the Seat of Los30
   8. Upon the sandy shore rested his chariot of fire
   9. Ten thousand thousand were his hosts of spirits on the wind:
   10. Ten thousand thousand glittering Chariots shining in the sky:
   11. They pour upon the golden shore beside the silent ocean.
   12. Rejoicing in the Victory & the heavens were filld with blood t35
   13. The Earth spread forth her table wide. the Night a silver cup
   14. Fill'd with the wine of anguish waited at the golden feast
   15. But the bright Sun was not as yet; he filling all the expanse
   16. Slept as a bird in the blue shell that soon shall burst away
   17. Los saw the wound of his blow he saw he pitied he wept t40
   18. Los now repented that he had smitten Enitharmon he felt love
   19. Arise in all his Veins he threw his arms around her loins
   20. To heal the wound of his smiting
   21. They eat the fleshly bread, they drank the nervous wine t
       

308

[ page13 ]
1. They listend to the Elemental Harps & Sphery Song
2. They view'd the dancing Hours, quick sporting thro' the sky
3. With winged radiance scattering joys thro the ever changing light
4. But Luvah & Vala standing in the bloody sky t
5. On high remaind alone forsaken in fierce jealousy5
6. They stood above the heavens forsaken desolate suspended in blood
7. Descend they could not. nor from Each other avert their eyes
8. Eternity appeard above them as One Man infolded
9. In Luvah robes of blood & bearing all his afflictions t
10. As the sun shines down on the misty earth Such was the Vision10
11. But purple night and crimson morning & golden day descending t
12. Thro' the clear changing atmosphere display'd green fields among
13. The varying clouds, like paradises stretch'd in the expanse
14. With towns & villages and temples, tents sheep-folds and pastures
15. Where dwell the children of the elemental worlds in harmony, 15
16. Not long in harmony they dwell, their life is drawn away t
17. And wintry woes succeed; successive driven into the Void
18. Where Enion craves: successive drawn into the golden feast
19. And Los & Enitharmon sat in discontent & scorn t
20. The Nuptial Song arose from all the thousand thousand spirits t20
21. Over the joyful Earth & Sea, and ascended into the Heavens
22. For Elemental Gods their thunderous Organs blew; creating
23. Delicious Viands. Demons of Waves their watry Eccho's woke!
24. Bright Souls of vegetative life, budding and blossoming t
[ page14 ]
1. Stretch their immortal hands to smite the gold & silver Wires
2. And with immortal Voice soft warbling fill all Earth & Heaven.
3. With doubling Voices & loud Horns wound round sounding
4. Cavernous dwellers fill'd the enormous Revelry, Responsing!
5. And Spirits of Flaming fire on high, govern'd the mighty Song. 5
6. And This the Song! sung at The Feast of Los & Enitharmon
7. Ephraim calld out to Zion: Awake O Brother Mountain t
8. Let us refuse the Plow & Spade, the heavy Roller & spiked
9. Harrow. burn all these Corn fields. throw down all these fences
10. Fattend on Human blood & drunk with wine of life is better far 10
11. Than all these labours of the harvest & the vintage. See the river
12. Red with the blood of Men. swells lustful round my rocky knees
13. My clouds are not the clouds of verdant fields & groves of fruit
14. But Clouds of Human Souls. my nostrils drink the lives of Men t
15. The Villages Lament. they faint outstretchd upon the plain 15
16. Wailing runs round the Valleys from the Mill & from the Barn t
    

309

1. But most the polishd Palaces dark silent bow with dread t
2. Hiding their books & pictures. underneath the dens of Earth
3. The Cities send to one another saying My sons are Mad
4. With wine of cruelty. Let us plat a Scourge O Sister City t20
5. Children are nourishd for the Slaughter; once the Child was fed
6. With Milk; but wherefore now are Children fed with blood t
[ page15 ]
1. The Horse is of more value than the Man. The Tyger fierce
2. Laughs at the Human form. the Lion mocks & thirsts for blood
3. They cry O Spider spread thy web! Enlarge thy bones & fill'd
4. With marrow. sinews & flesh Exalt thyself attain a voice
5. Call to thy dark armd hosts, for all the sons of Men muster together 5
6. To desolate their cities! Man shall be no more! Awake O Hosts
7. The bow string sang upon the hills! Luvah & Vala ride
8. Triumphant in the bloody sky. & the Human form is no more t
9. The listning Stars heard, & the first beam of the morning started back
10. He cried out to his Father, depart! depart! but sudden Siez'd t10
11. And clad in steel. & his Horse proudly neighd; he smelt the battle t
12. Afar off, Rushing back, reddning with rage the Mighty Father t
13. Siezd his bright Sheephook studded with gems & gold, he Swung it round
14. His head shrill sounding in the sky, down rushd the Sun with noise
15. Of war, The Mountains fled away they sought a place beneath15
16. Vala remaind in desarts of dark solitude. nor Sun nor Moon
17. By night nor day to comfort her, she labourd in thick smoke t
18. Tharmas endurd not, he fled howling. then a barren waste sunk>
19. Conglobing in the dark confusion, Mean time Los was born
20. And Thou O Enitharmon! Hark I hear the hammers of Los t20
[ page16 ]
1. They melt the bones of Vala, & the bones of Luvah into wedges
2. The innumerable sons & daughters of Luvah closd in furnaces
3. Melt into furrows. winter blows his bellows: ice & Snow
4. Tend the dire anvils. Mountains mourn & Rivers faint & fail
5. There is no City nor Corn-field nor Orchard! all is Rock & Sand 5
6. There is no Sun nor Moon nor Star. but rugged wintry rocks
7. Justling together in the void suspended by inward fires
8. Impatience now no longer can endure. Distracted Luvah
9. Bursting forth from the loins of Enitharmon, Thou fierce Terror
10. Go howl in vain, Smite Smite his fetters Smite O wintry hammers 10
11. Smite Spectre of Urthona, mock the fiend who drew us down
12. From heavens of joy into this Deep. Now rage but rage in vain
    

310

1. Thus Sang the Demons of the Deep. the Clarions of War blew loud
2. The Feast redounds & Crownd with roses & the circling vine
3. The Enormous Bride & Bridegroom sat, beside them Urizen15
4. With faded radiance sighd, forgetful of the flowing wine
5. And of Ahania his Pure Bride but She was distant far
6. But Los & Enitharmon sat in discontent & scorn
7. Craving the more the more enjoying, drawing out sweet bliss
8. From all the turning wheels of heaven & the chariots of the Slain20
9. At distance Far in Night repelld. in direful hunger craving
10. Summers & Winters round revolving in the frightful deep.
[ page17 ]
1. Enion blind & age-bent wept upon the desolate wind t
2. Why does the Raven cry aloud and no eye pities her?
3. Why fall the Sparrow & the Robin in the foodless winter?
4. Faint! shivering they sit on leafless bush, or frozen stone t
5. Wearied with seeking food across the snowy waste; the little 5
6. Heart, cold; and the little tongue consum'd, that once in thoughtless joy
7. Gave songs of gratitude to waving corn fields round their nest. t
8. Why howl the Lion & the Wolf? why do they roam abroad? t
9. Deluded by summers heat they sport in enormous love t
10. And cast their young out to the hungry wilds & sandy desarts 10
[ page18 ]
1. Why is the Sheep given to the knife? the Lamb plays in the Sun
2. He starts! he hears the foot of Man! he says, Take thou my wool
3. But spare my life, but he knows not that winter cometh fast. t
4. The Spider sits in his labourd Web, eager watching for the Fly
5. Presently comes a famishd Bird & takes away the Spider 5
6. His Web is left all desolate, that his little anxious heart
7. So careful wove; & spread it out with sighs and weariness.
8. This was the Lamentation of Enion round the golden Feast
9. Eternity groand and was troubled at the image of Eternal Death
10. Without the body of Man an Exudation from his sickning limbs 10
11. Now Man was come to the Palm tree & to the Oak of Weeping t
12. Which stand upon the Edge of Beulah & he sunk down
13. From the Supporting arms of the Eternal Saviour; who disposd
14. The pale limbs of his Eternal Individuality
15. Upon The Rock of Ages. Watching over him with Love & Care t15
[ page21 ]
1. Then those in Great Eternity met in the Council of God t
2. As one Man for contracting their Exalted Senses
   

311

1. They behold Multitude or Expanding they behold as one
2. As One Man all the Universal family & that one Man t
3. They call Jesus the Christ & they in him & he in them5
4. Live in Perfect harmony in Eden the land of life
5. Consulting as One Man above the Mountain of Snowdon Sublime t
6. For messengers from Beulah come in tears & darkning clouds
7. Saying Shiloh is in ruins our brother is sick Albion He t
8. Whom thou lovest is sick he wanders from his house of Eternity 10
9. The daughters of Beulah terrified have closd the Gate of the Tongue
10. Luvah & Urizen contend in war around the holy tent
11. So spoke the Ambassadors from Beulah & with solemn mourning t
12. They were introducd to the divine presence & they kneeled down
13. In Conways Vale thus recounting the Wars of Death Eternal t15
14. The Eternal Man wept in the holy tent Our Brother in Eternity
15. Even Albion whom thou lovest wept in pain his family
16. Slept round on hills & valleys in the regions of his love
17. But Urizen awoke & Luvah woke & thus conferrd
18. Thou Luvah said the Prince of Light behold our sons & daughters 20
19. Reposd on beds. let them sleep on. do thou alone depar
20. Into thy wished Kingdom where in Majesty & Power
21. We may erect a throne. deep in the North I place my lot
22. Thou in the South listen attentive. In silent of this night
23. I will infold the Eternal tent in clouds opake while thou 25
24. Siezing the chariots of the morning. Go outfleeting ride
25. Afar into the Zenith high bending thy furious course
26. Southward with half the tents of men inclosd in clouds>
27. Will lay my scepter on Jerusalem the Emanation
28. On all her sons & on thy sons O Luvah & on mine t30
29. Till dawn was wont to wake them then my trumpet sounding loud
30. Ravishd away in night my strong command shall be obeyd
31. For I have placd my centinels in stations each tenth man
32. Is bought & sold & in dim night my Word shall be their law
[ page22 ]
1. Luvah replied Dictate to thy Equals. am not I
2. The Prince of all the hosts of Men nor Equal know in Heaven
3. If I arise into the Zenith leaving thee to watch
4. The Emanation & her Sons the Satan & the Anak
5. Sihon and Og. wilt thou not rebel to my laws remain 5
6. In darkness building thy strong throne & in my ancient night
7. Daring my power wilt arm my sons against me in the Atlantic t
8. My deep My night which thou assuming hast assumed my Crown
9. I will remain as well as thou & here with hands of blood
10. Smite this dark sleeper in his tent then try my strength with thee 10
    

312

1. While thus he spoke his fires reddend oer the holy tent t
2. Urizen cast deep darkness round him silent brooding death
3. Eternal death to Luvah. raging Luvah pourd
4. The Lances of Urizen from chariots. round the holy tent
5. Discord began & yells & cries shook the wide firmament15
6. Beside his anvil stood Urthona dark. a mass of iron
7. Glowd furious on the anvil prepard for spades & coulters All
8. His sons fled from his side to join the conflict pale he heard
9. The Eternal voice he stood the sweat chilld on his mighty limbs
10. He dropd his hammer. dividing from his aking bosom fled20
11. A portion of his life shrieking upon the wind she fled
12. And Tharmas took her in pitying Then Enion in jealous fear
13. Murderd her & hid her in her bosom embalming her for fear
14. She should arise again to life Embalmd in Enions bosom
15. Enitharmon remains a corse such thing was never known25
16. In Eden that one died a death never to be revivd
17. Urthona stood in terror but not long his spectre fled
18. To Enion & his body fell. Tharmas beheld him fall
19. Endlong a raging serpent rolling round the holy tent
20. The sons of war astonishd at the Glittring monster drove 30
21. Him far into the world of Tharmas into a cavernd rock
22. But Urizen with darkness overspreading all the armies
23. Sent round his heralds secretly commanding to depart
24. Into the north Sudden with thunders sound his multitudes
25. Retreat from the fierce conflict all the sons of Urizen at once 35
26. Mustring together in thick clouds leaving the rage of Luvah
27. To pour its fury on himself & on the Eternal Man
28. Sudden down fell they all together into an unknown Space
29. Deep horrible without End. Separated from Beulah far beneath
30. The Mans exteriors are become indefinite opend to pain 40
31. In a fierce hungring void & none can visit his regions
[ page21 [19] ]
1. Jerusalem his Emanation is become a ruin t
2. Her little ones are slain on the top of every street t
3. And she herself le captive & scatterd into the indefinite t
4. Gird on thy sword O thou most mighty in glory & majesty
5. Destroy these opressors of Jerusalem & those who ruin Shiloh 5
6. So spoke the Messengers of Beulah. Silently removing
7. The Family Divine drew up the Universal tent
8. Above High Snowdon & closd the Messengers in clouds around t
9. Till the time of the End. Then they Elected Seven. called the Seven
10. Eyes of God & the Seven lamps of the Almighty10
11. The Seven are one within the other the Seventh is named Jesus
    

313

1. The Lamb of God blessed for ever & he followd the Man
2. Who wanderd in mount Ephraim seeking a Sepulcher
3. His inward eyes closing from the Divine vision & all
4. His children wandering outside from his bosom fleeing away t15
[ page22 [20] ]
1. The Daughters of Beulah beheld the Emanation they pitied t
2. They wept before the Inner gates of Enitharmons bosom
3. And of her fine wrought brain & of her bowels within her loins
4. Three gates within Glorious & bright open into Beulah t
5. From Enitharmons inward parts but the bright female terror 5
6. Refusd to open the bright gates she closd and barrd them fast
7. Lest Los should enter into Beulah thro her beautiful gates
8. The Emanation stood before the Gates of Enitharmon t
9. Weeping. the Daughters of Beulah silent in the Porches
10. Spread her a couch unknown to Enitharmon here reposd 10
11. Jerusalem in slumbers soft lulld into silent rest
12. Terrific ragd the Eternal Wheels of intellect terrific ragd
13. The living creatures of the wheels in the Wars of Eternal life
14. But perverse rolld the wheels of Urizen & Luvah back reversd
15. Downwards & outwards consuming in the wars of Eternal Death t15
[ page21 [19] ]
End of The First Night

b2.3.2

[ page23 ]

VALA
Night the [Second] t

1. Rising upon his Couch of Death Albion beheld his Sons
2. Turning his Eyes outward to Self. losing the Divine Vision
3. Albion calld Urizen & said. Behold these sickning Spheres t
4. Whence is this Voice of Enion that soundeth in my Porches t
5. Take thou possession! take this Scepter! go forth in my might5
6. For I am weary, & must sleep in the dark sleep of Death t
7. Thy brother Luvah hath smitten me but pity thou his youth t
8. Tho thou hast not pitid my Age O Urizen Prince of Light
   

1. Urizen rose from the bright Feast like a star thro' the evening sky
2. Exulting at the voice that calld him from the Feast of envy t10
3. First he beheld the body of Man pale, cold, the horrors of death
4. Beneath his feet shot thro' him as he stood in the Human Brain
5. And all its golden porches grew pale with his sickening light
6. No more Exulting for he saw Eternal Death beneath
7. Pale he beheld futurity; pale he beheld the Abyss15
8. Where Enion blind & age bent wept in direful hunger craving
9. All rav'ning like the hungry worm, & like the silent grave
   

314

[ page24 ]

1. Mighty was the draught of Voidness to draw Existence in
   

1. Terrific Urizen strode above, in fear & pale dismay
2. He saw the indefinite space beneath & his soul shrunk with horror
3. His feet upon the verge of Non Existence; his voice went forth
   

1. Luvah & Vala trembling & shrinking, beheld the great Work master t5
2. And heard his Word! Divide ye bands influence by influence
3. Build we a Bower for heavens darling in the grizly deep
4. Build we the Mundane Shell around the Rock of Albion
   

1. The Bands of Heaven flew thro the air singing & shouting to Urizen t
2. Some fix'd the anvil, some the loom erected, some the plow 10
3. And harrow formd & framd the harness of silver & ivory
4. The golden compasses, the quadrant & the rule & balance
5. They erected the furnaces, they formd the anvils of gold beaten in mills
6. Where winter beats incessant, fixing them firm on their base
7. The bellows began to blow & the Lions of Urizen stood round the anvil15
   

[ page25 ]

1. And the leopards coverd with skins of beasts tended the roaring fires
2. Sublime distinct their lineaments divine of human beauty t
3. The tygers of wrath called the horses of instruction from their mangers
4. They unloos'd them & put on the harness of gold & silver& ivory
5. In human forms distinct they stood round Urizen prince of Light5
6. Petrifying all the Human Imagination into rock & sand t
7. Groans ran along Tyburns brook and along the River of Oxford
8. Among the Druid Temples. Albion groand on Tyburns brook
9. Albion gave his loud death groan The Atlantic Mountains trembled
10. Aloft the Moon fled with a cry the Sun with streams of blood 10
11. From Albions Loins fled all Peoples and Nations of the Earth t
12. Fled with the noise of Slaughter & the stars of heaven Fled
13. Jerusalem came down in a dire ruin over all the Earth
14. She fell cold from Lambeths Vales in groans & Dewy death
15. The dew of anxious souls the death-sweat of the dying15
16. In every pillard hall & arched roof of Albions skies
17. The brother & the brother bathe in blood upon the Severn
18. The Maiden weeping by. The father & the mother with
19. The Maidens father & her mother fainting over the body
20. And the Young Man the Murderer fleeing over the mountains20
    

1. Reuben slept on Penmaenmawr & Levi slept on Snowdon
2. Their eyes their ears nostrils & tongues roll outward they behold
3. What is within now seen without they are raw to the hungry wind
4. They become Nations far remote in a little & dark Land
5. The Daughters of Albion girded around their garments of Needlework