MENTAL FIGHT

Wikipedia

Milton

Preface

Blake included the Preface in only the first two copies of the four known copies of Milton. The poetic section of this plate became one of the best known hymns in Great Britain when it was set to music written by Sir Hubert Parry in 1916. Blake's inspiration for this poem came from the legend that Jesus was the nephew of Joseph of Arimathea who on a journey as a tin merchant took the boy Jesus to what is now Great Britain. That event came to life in Blake's imagination as an indication that 'if we are but just & true to our own Imaginations, those Worlds of Eternity in which we shall live for ever', then 'Jesus our Lord' could be seen again 'On Englands mountains green."

The singing of the hymn Jerusalem keeps alive the idea that by exercising our mental abilities in service to our own imaginations, we can, in the spirit, transform the dark world of exploitation into the bright world of brotherhood. 

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Jerusalem sung by Jacob Collier

Milton, Preface, (E 95)
 "Rouze up O Young Men of the New Age! set your foreheads
against the ignorant Hirelings! For we have Hirelings in the
Camp, the Court, & the University: who would if they could, for
ever depress Mental & prolong Corporeal War. Painters! on you I
call! Sculptors! Architects! Suffer not the fash[i]onable Fools
to depress your powers by the prices they pretend to give for
contemptible works or the expensive advertizing boasts that they
make of such works; believe Christ & his Apostles that there is a
Class of Men whose whole delight is in Destroying. We do not 
want either Greek or Roman Models if we are but just & true to
our own Imaginations, those Worlds of Eternity in which we shall
live for ever; in Jesus our Lord.

     And did those feet in ancient time,
     Walk upon Englands mountains green:
     And was the holy Lamb of God,
     On Englands pleasant pastures seen!

     And did the Countenance Divine,             
     Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
     And was Jerusalem builded here,
     Among these dark Satanic Mills?

     Bring me my Bow of burning gold:
     Bring me my Arrows of desire:                     
     Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold!
     Bring me my Chariot of fire!

     I will not cease from Mental Fight,
     Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand:
     Till we have built Jerusalem,                     
     In Englands green & pleasant Land."

Romans 10 

[12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 

[13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. [14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 

[15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 

[16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 

[17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

Wikipedia - 'And did those feet in ancient time'