BLAKE'S GIFTS

George Fox Journal

"...So, Friends, come into that which is over all the spirits of the world, fathoms all the spirits of the world, and stands in the patience; with that, ye may see where others stand, and reach that which is of God in every one. Here is no strife, no contention, out of transgression; for he that goeth into strife, and into contention, is [away] from the pure spirit..."

Each one speaks according to the gifts he has received. The knowledge of this insight and of its corollary - that we recognize and respect the gifts of others as well as our own gifts - overcomes barriers among us.

There are individuals singled out to receive extraordinary gifts which are meant for more than a small community but for the world. These gifts have the potential for transforming the life not just of individuals or small groups but of societies or civilizations. The extreme gifts that God bestowed on William Blake were intellectual and spiritual, a combination rarely conferred. There is little doubt that Blake attempted to convey to his contemporaries the message that he felt uniquely singled out to deliver. However he had slight success. The impact that he had in his lifetime was mostly to become the object of derision and rejection. His response to his situation was to encapsulate his message in his works of imagination expressed in visual and poetic images which would endure to find an audience that was capable of receiving it. 

In our age we are being drawn away from seeking spiritual and intellectual truth. We follow the path of immediate gratification of our emotions and senses. Would that we could look within and the "fallen fallen light renew."

                         Wikimedia commons

         Songs of Innocence and of Experience

Plate 30

Songs of Experience, (E 18)

"SONGS 30 
Introduction.

Hear the voice of the Bard!
Who Present, Past, & Future sees
Whose ears have heard,
The Holy Word,
That walk'd among the ancient trees.

Calling the lapsed Soul
And weeping in the evening dew:
That might controll,
The starry pole;
And fallen fallen light renew! 

O Earth O Earth return!
Arise from out the dewy grass;
Night is worn,
And the morn
Rises from the slumberous mass, 
 
Turn away no more:
Why wilt thou turn away
The starry floor
The watry shore
Is giv'n thee till the break of day." 

                                Wikimedia commons
                 Songs of Innocence and of Experience
Plate 31 

Songs of Experience, (E 18)

 "SONGS 31 
EARTH'S Answer.                

Earth rais'd up her head,
From the darkness dread & drear.
Her light fled:                          
Stony dread!
And her locks cover'd with grey despair. 

Prison'd on watry shore
Starry jealousy does keep my tent
Cold and hoar
Weeping o'er
I hear the Father of the ancient men     

Selfish father of men
Cruel jealous selfish fear 
Can delight

Chain'd in night                         
The virgins of youth and morning bear. 

Does spring hide its joy               
When buds and blossoms grow?
Does the sower?                             
Sow by night?
Or the plowman in darkness plow? 

Break this heavy chain,
That does freeze my bones around
Selfish! vain!
Eternal bane!                              
That free Love with bondage bound."  

Another Post: Mythos & Logos