William Blake, The Clod and the Pebble, from Lyrics from William Blake, Volume I, Number I, A Reprint of Poetry and Prose for Book Lovers, chosen in part from scarce editions and sources not generally known, rare poetry, rare prose, free online text, e-book, 20th century English literature, online text, free e-book, on www.elfinspell.com (Bibelot1BlakeClod)

From The Bibelot, A Reprint of Poetry and Prose for Book Lovers, chosen in part from scarce editions and sources not generally known, Volume I, Testimonial Edition, Edited and Originally Published by Thomas B. Mosher, Portland, Maine; Wm. Wise & Co.; New York; 1904; p. 17.

THE CLOD AND THE PEBBLE.

“LOVE seeketh not itself to please,
Not for itself hath any care,
But for another gives its ease,
    And builds a heaven in hell’s despair.”

So sang a little clod of clay,
    Trodden with the cattle’s feet,
But a pebble of the brook
    Warbled out these metres meet:

“Love seeketh only Self to please,
    To bind another to its delight,
Joys in another’s loss of ease,
    And builds a hell in heaven’s despite.”

I. LYRICS FROM WILLIAM BLAKE

THE CLOD AND THE PEBBLE.

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