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:
'Measuring his motions by revolving spheres' (Page 26)
Date:
1797
Materials & Techniques:
Etching, line engraving, and letterpress, with hand coloring in watercolor on moderately thick, slightly textured, cream wove paper
Dimensions:
Spine: 17 1/2 inches (44.5 cm)
Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering:
Lettered inside image: "26 | Not on those terms was time, heaven's stranger, sent | On his important embassy to man. | LORENZO! no: on the long-destined hour, | From everlasting ages growing ripe, | That memorable hour of wondrous birth, | When the DREAD SIRE, on emanation bent, | And big with nature, rising in his might, | Call'd forth creation, for then time was born, | By godhead streaming through a thousand worlds; | Not on those terms, from the great days of heaven, | From old eternity's mysterious orb, | Was time cut off, and cast beneath the skies; | The skies, which watch him in his new abode, | *Measuring his motions by revolving spheres; | That horologe machinery divine: | Hours, days, and months, and years, his children play, | Like numerous wings, around him, as he flies; | Or rather, as unequal plumes they shape | His ample pinions, swift as darted flame, | To gain his goal, to reach his ancient rest, | And join anew eternity his sire; | In his immutability to nest, | When worlds, that count his circles now, unhinged, | Fate the loud signal sounding, headlong rush | To timeless night and chaos, whence they rose. | Why spur the speedy? why with levities | New-wing thy short, short day's too rapid flight? | Know'st thou, or what thou dost, or what is done? | Man flies from time, and time from man, too soon in sad divorce this double flight must end;"
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1992.8.10(16)
Classification:
Prints
Collection:
Prints and Drawings
Subject Terms:
bald | dead | drinking | religious and mythological subject | literary theme | angel | goblet | wings | food | text | man | men | women | baby | children | death