PDA

View Full Version : William Blake's Song of Experience



poems=life
04-10-2011, 07:13 PM
I began re-reading Blake the other day and am still mystified with his language, especially with his introduction to the Songs of Experience. Would somebody be able to explain this poem to me? I am having an especially difficult time understanding it.

Thank you.

stlukesguild
04-11-2011, 09:55 PM
When your first post is a request for the meaning of a poem our suspicions are naturally aroused: Could this be yet another student asking us to do his or her homework for him or her? Not that I wish to accuse you of such... but just to quell any suspicions others here may have, why don't you start by giving us some idea of your own thoughts on this poem... and then perhaps the members will gladly offer up further assistance.

Hear the voice of the Bard!
Who Present, Past, & Future sees
Whose ears have heard,
The Holy Word,
That walk'd among the ancient trees.

Calling the lapsed Soul
And weeping in the evening dew:
That might controll,
The starry pole;
And fallen fallen light renew!

O Earth O Earth return!
Arise from out the dewy grass;
Night is worn,
And the morn
Rises from the slumberous mass.

Turn away no more:
Why wilt thou turn away
The starry floor
The watry shore
Is giv'n thee till the break of day