William Blake (1757–1827).

Flateetsning og kolorering på papir. 16,3 x 11,6 cm, The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.

William Blakes Songs of Innocence and of Experience ble utgitt i to omganger, Songs of Innocence i 1789, og Songs of Innocence and of Experience i 1794. Dagens bilde sies å ha blitt utført i 1826.

My Pretty ROSE-TREE

A flower was offered to me;
Such a flower as May never bore.
But I said I’ve a Pretty Rose-tree:
And I passed the sweet flower o’er.

Then I went to my Pretty Rose-tree;
To tend her by day and by night.
But my Rose turnd away with jealousy:
And her thorns were my only delight

AH! SUN-FLOWER

Ah Sun-flower! weary of time,
Who countest the steps of the Sun:
Seeking after that sweet golden clime
Where the travellers journey is done.

Where the Youth pined away with desire,
And the pale Virgin shrouded in snow:
Arise from their graves and aspire,
Where my Sun-flower wishes to go.

THE LILLY

The modest Rose puts forth a thorn:
The humble Sheep, a threatning horn:
While the Lilly white, shall in Love delight,
Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright.