The Chimney Sweeper (Experience)
The Chimney Sweeper (Experience)
William Blake
A little black thing among the snow,
Crying "'weep! 'weep!" in notes of woe!
"Where are thy father and mother? Say!" —
"They are both gone up to the church to pray.
Because I was happy upon the heath,
And smil'd among the winter's snow,
They clothed me in the clothes of death,
And taught me to sing the notes of woe.
And because I am happy and dance and sing,
They think they have done me no injury,
And are gone to praise God and his Priest and King,
Who make up a heaven of our misery."
Verse breaks and indentation are preserved. Wrapped lines have a hanging indent. Width adapts to your screen.
Songs of Experience, 1794.
