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Creator:
Print made by William Blake, 1757–1827
Hand colored by William Blake, 1757–1827
Text by Edward Young, 1683–1765
Published by Richard Edwards, active 1796–1797
Title:
'The thunder if in that the Almighty dwells' (Page 80)
Part Of:

Collective Title: Young's Night Thoughts

Date:
ca. 1797
Materials & Techniques:
Etching, line engraving, and letterpress, with hand coloring in watercolor on moderately thick, slightly textured, cream wove paper
Dimensions:
Spine: 16 3/4 inches (42.5 cm), Sheet: 16 1/2 x 12 3/4 inches (41.9 x 32.4 cm), Plate: 15 1/8 x 12 3/4 inches (38.4 x 32.4 cm)
Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering:

Lettered inside image: "80 | What, night eternal--but a frown from thee? | What, heaven's meridian glory--but thy smile? | And shall not praise be thine? not human praise? | While heaven's high host on hallelujahs live? | O may I breathe no longer than I breathe | My soul in praise to HIM who gave my soul | And all her infinite of prospect fair; | Cut through the shades of hell, great love! by THEE, | Oh most adorable, most unadored! | Where shall that praise begin, which ne'er should end? | Where'er I turn, what claim on all applause! | How is night's sable mantle labour'd o'er! | How richly wrought with attributes divine! | What wisdom shines! what love! this midnight pomp, | This gorgeous arch with golden worlds inlaid, | Built with divine ambition, nought to THEE! | For others this profusion: THOU apart, | Above, beyond: oh tell me, mighty mind! | Where art thou? shall I dive into the deep? | Call to the sun, or ask the roaring winds | For their creator? shall I question loud | *The thunder, if in that the ALMIGHTY dwells? | Or holds HE furious storms in streighten'd reins, | And bids fierce whirlwinds wheel his rapid car? | What mean these questions?--trembling I retract; | My prostrate soul adores the present GOD: | Praise I a distant DEITY? HE tunes | My voice, if tuned; the nerve that writes, sustains; | Wrapp'd in his being I resound his praise: | But though past all diffused, without a shore"; lower left: "in & s | WB"; lower left: "Pubd. June 1st. 1797, by R. Edwards No. 142 New Bond Street."

Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1978.43.1411
Classification:
Prints
Collection:
Prints and Drawings
Subject Terms:
grass | lightning | literary theme | men | text | water
Access:
Accessible by appointment in the Study Room [Request]
Note: The Study Room is open by appointment. Please visit the Study Room page on our website for more details.
Link:
https://collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/tms:2337
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The Romantic Print in the Age of Revolutions: Hero, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History (Yale Center for British Art, 2003-01-23 - 2003-06-01) [YCBA Objects in the Exhibition] [Exhibition Description]


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