To the Muses
To the Muses
Original Text
William Blake, Poetical Sketches (London, 1783). D-10 1987 Fisher Rare Book Library (Toronto).
2 Or in the chambers of the East,
3The chambers of the sun, that now
4 From ancient melody have ceas'd;
5Whether in Heav'n ye wander fair,
6 Or the green corners of the earth,
7Or the blue regions of the air,
8 Where the melodious winds have birth;
9Whether on crystal rocks ye rove,
10 Beneath the bosom of the sea
11Wand'ring in many a coral grove,
12 Fair Nine, forsaking Poetry!
13How have you left the ancient love
14 That bards of old enjoy'd in you!
15The languid strings do scarcely move!
16 The sound is forc'd, the notes are few!
Notes
1] This poem was first published in Poetical Sketches, a collection of Blake's juvenile poetry, printed by private subscription in 1783, This song is said on contemporary authority to have been written by Blake at about the age of fourteen. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1783
RPO poem Editors
Northrop Frye
RPO Edition
3RP 2.275.
Rhyme
Form