Print made by William Blake, 1757–1827, BritishHand colored by William Blake, 1757–1827, BritishText by Edward Young, 1683–1765, BritishPublished by Richard Edwards, active 1796–1797, British
Title:
'What, though my soul fantastick measures trod' (Page 4)
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)
Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering:
Lettered inside image: "4 | An heir of glory! a frail child of dust! | Helpless immortal! insect infinite! | A worm! a God!--I tremble at myself, | And in myself am lost! At home a stranger, | Thought wanders up and down, surprised, aghast, | And wond'ring at her own: how reason reels! | O what a miracle to man is man, | Triumphantly distress'd! what joy, what dread! | Alternately transported, and alarm'd! | What can preserve my life? or what destroy? | An angel's arm can't snatch me from the grave-- | Legions of angels can't confine me there. | 'Tis past conjecture: all things rise in proof. | While o'er my limbs sleep's soft dominion spread: | *What, though my soul fantastick measures trod | O'er fairy fields; or mourn'd along the gloom | Of pathless woods; or down the craggy steep | Hurl'd headlong, swam with pain the mantled pool; | Or scaled the cliff; or danced on hollow winds, | With antick shapes wild natives of the brain? | Her ceaseless flight, though devious, speaks her nature | Of subtler essence than the trodden clod; | Active, aerial, tow'ring, unconfined, | Unfetter'd with her gross companion's fall. | Even silent night proclaims my soul immortal; | Even silent night proclaims eternal day. | For human weal, Heaven husbands all events; | Dull sleep instructs, nor sport vain dreams in vain. | Why then their loss deplore that are not lost? | Why wanders wretched thought their tombs around,"; lower left: "Pubd. June 27th 1796, by R. Edwards, No. 142 New Bond Street."
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1978.43.1382
Classification:
Prints
Collection:
Prints and Drawings
Subject Terms:
nudes | quill pen | book | leisure | men | women | swimming | trees | text | literary theme | sleeping | branches
Currently On View:
Not on view
Exhibition History:
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)