The Clod and the Pebble

Blake, William (1757 - 1827)

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.

1"Love seeketh not itself to please,

2Nor for itself hath any care,

3But for another gives its ease,

4And builds a Heaven in Hell's despair."

5So sung a little Clod of Clay

6Trodden with the cattle's feet,

7But a Pebble of the brook

8Warbled out these metres meet:

9"Love seeketh only self to please,

10To bind another to its delight,

11Joys in another's loss of ease,

12And builds a Hell in Heaven's despite."

Publication Start Year

1794

RPO poem Editors

Northrop Frye

RPO Edition

3RP 2.282.

Rhyme

abab