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The Sick Rose

Blake, William (1757 - 1827)

1O Rose, thou art sick!
2The invisible worm
3That flies in the night,
4In the howling storm,
5Has found out thy bed
6Of crimson joy:
7And his dark secret love
8Does thy life destroy.
Poem Info
Original Text: 
William Blake, Songs of Experience (1794). Blake's Illuminated Books, ed. David Bindman (Princeton, NJ: William Blake Trust; London: Tate Gallery, 1991-). See Vol. 2. PR 4142 B46 1991 ROBA.
Publication Start Year: 
1794
RPO poem Editors: 
Northrop Frye
RPO Edition: 
3RP 2.285.
Rhyme: 
abcb