If It Is True What The Prophets Write

If it is true, what the Prophets write,
That the heathen gods are all stocks and stones,
Shall we, for the sake of being polite,
Feed them with the juice of our marrow-bones?

And if Bezaleel and Aholiab drew
What the finger of God pointed to their view,
Shall we suffer the Roman and Grecian rods
To compel us to worship them as gods?

They stole them from the temple of the Lord
And worshipp'd them that they might make inspirèd art abhorr'd;

The wood and stone were call'd the holy things,
And their sublime intent given to their kings.
All the atonements of Jehovah spurn'd,
And criminals to sacrifices turn'd.

William Blake

William Blake was an English poet, painter, and printmaker, who is considered one of the seminal figures in the history of poetry and visual arts of the Romantic Age. Born in London, Blake was largely unrecognized during his lifetime but is now renowned for his expressive and mystical works that blend poetic and visual art. His notable works include 'Songs of Innocence and Experience' and 'The Marriage of Heaven and Hell'. His unique creative vision and philosophical outlook have influenced numerous artists and thinkers since his death.

William Blake

The Birds

William Blake, Simple Poetry

Mad Song

William Blake, Simple Poetry

I Rose Up At The Dawn Of Day

William Blake, Simple Poetry

Why Should I Care For The Men Of Thames

William Blake, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

Idols.

I.

Mouths have they, but they speak not:
    Yet something in the certainty of faith
    To their disciples saith:
"Believe on me and vengeance I will wreak not."
The word that conquers death--
    The immutable and boundless gift of grace--
    Dwells in that stony face,
And every supplication answereth.
Mouths have they, but they speak not;
    Yet one supernal will that shapes to suit
A great decree that can not be belied
Utters from voiceless lips those creeds that guide
    The tribes that never heard
    The living, saving Word,--
That have their dead gods and are satisfied.


II.

Eyes have they, but they see not:
    Yet the pagan builds his shrine,
    And keeps his fires divine
Forever bright, nor darkly doubt...

Charles Hamilton Musgrove

The Everlasting Gospel

The vision of Christ that thou dost see
Is my visions greatest enemy.
Thine has a great hook nose like thine;
Mine has a snub nose like to mine.
Thine is the Friend of all Mankind;
Mine speaks in parables to the blind.
Thine loves the same world that mine hates;
Thy heaven doors are my hell gates.
Socrates taught what Meletus
Loathd as a nations bitterest curse,
And Caiaphas was in his own mind
A benefactor to mankind.
Both read the Bible day and night,
But thou readst black where I read white.

Was Jesus gentle, or did He
Give any marks of gentility?
When twelve years old He ran away,
And left His parents in dismay.
When after three days sorrow found,
Loud as Sinais trumpet-sound:
No earthly parents I confess
My Heavenly ...

William Blake

I Saw A Chapel

I saw a chapel all of gold
That none did dare to enter in,
And many weeping stood without,
Weeping, mourning, worshipping.

I saw a serpent rise between
The white pillars of the door,
And he forc'd and forc'd and forc'd,
Down the golden hinges tore.

And along the pavement sweet,
Set with pearls and rubies bright,
All his slimy length he drew
Till upon the altar white

Vomiting his poison out
On the bread and on the wine.
So I turn'd into a sty
And laid me down among the swine.

William Blake

The Four Zoas (Excerpt)

1.1    "What is the price of Experience? do men buy it for a song?
1.2    Or wisdom for a dance in the street? No, it is bought with the price
1.3    Of all that a man hath, his house, his wife, his children.
1.4    Wisdom is sold in the desolate market where none come to buy,
1.5    And in the wither'd field where the farmer plows for bread in vain.

1.6    It is an easy thing to triumph in the summer's sun
1.7    And in the vintage and to sing on the waggon loaded with corn.
1.8    It is an easy thing to talk of patience to the afflicted,
1.9    To speak the laws of prudence to the houseless wanderer,
1.10    To listen to the hungry raven's cry in wintry season
1.11    When the red blood is fill'd with wine and with the marrow of lambs.

1.12    It is an easy thing to laug...

William Blake

The New Jerusalem

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my charriot of fire!

I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

William Blake

And Did Those Feet In Ancient Time

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!

I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

William Blake