William Blake (1757-1827)

Earth raised up her head,
From the darkness dread and drear.
Her light fled:
Stony dread!
And her locks covered with grey despair.

"Prisoned on watery shore,
Starry Jealousy does keep my den,
Cold and hoar
Weeping o'er
I hear the Father of the ancient men.

"Selfish father of men,
Cruel, jealous, selfish fear!
Can delight
Chained in night
The virgins of youth and morning bear?

"Does spring hide its joy,
When buds and blossoms grow?
Does the sower
Sow by night,
Or the plowman in darkness plow?

"Break this heavy chain,
That does freeze my bones around;
Selfish! vain!
Eternal bane!
That free Love with bondage bound."