Earth's Answer
Earth's Answer - context Summary
From Songs of Experience
"Earth's Answer" appears in Blake's Songs of Experience and gives a voice to the personified Earth, lamenting a loss of light, joy, and freedom. The poem frames Earth as imprisoned by a cold, jealous paternal power that bars natural renewal and pleasure. It reflects Blake's mystical critique of authoritarian and repressive forces, portraying longing for liberation and the recovery of spontaneous life and love.
Read Complete AnalysesEarth raised up her head From the darkness dread and drear, Her light fled, Stony, dread, And her locks covered with grey despair. "Prisoned on watery shore, Starry jealousy does keep my den Cold and hoar; Weeping o're, I hear the father of the ancient men. "Selfish father of men! Cruel, jealous, selfish fear! Can delight, Chained 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 plough? "Break this heavy chain, That does freeze my bones around! Selfish, vain, Eternal bane, That free love with bondage bound."
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