THE BOOK of THEL
The Author & Printer
Willm Blake, 1789.
THEL'S Motto,
Does the Eagle know what is in the
pit?
Or wilt thou go ask the Mole:
Can Wisdom be put in a silver rod?
Or Love in a golden bowl?
I
The daughters of Mne Seraphim led round
their sunny flocks.
All but the youngest; she in paleness sought
the secret air.
To fade away like morning beauty from her
mortal day:
Down by the river of Adona her soft voice
is heard:
And thus her gentle lamentation falls like
morning dew.
O life of this our spring! why fades the
lotus of the water?
Why fade these children of the spring?
born but to smile & fall.
Ah! Thel is like a watry bow. and like
a parting cloud.
Like a reflection in a glass. like shadows
in the water.
Like dreams of infants. like a smile upon
an infants face,
Like the doves voice, like transient day,
like music in the air;
Ah! gentle may I lay me down, and gentle
rest my head.
And gentle sleep the sleep of death. and
gentle hear the voice
Of him that walketh in the garden in the
evening time.
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