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Creator:
Print made by William Blake, 1757–1827
Hand colored by William Blake, 1757–1827
Text by Edward Young, 1683–1765
Published by Richard Edwards, active 1796–1797
Title:
'As if the sun could envy, check'd his beam' (Page 49)
Part Of:

Collective Title: Young's Night Thoughts

Date:
ca. 1797
Materials & Techniques:
Etching, line engraving, and letterpress, with hand coloring in watercolor on moderately thick, slightly textured, cream wove paper
Dimensions:
Spine: 16 3/4 inches (42.5 cm), Sheet: 16 1/2 x 12 3/4 inches (41.9 x 32.4 cm), Plate: 16 1/8 x 12 3/4 inches (41 x 32.4 cm)
Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering:

Lettered inside image: "49 | And will not the severe excuse a sigh? | Scorn the proud man that is ashamed to weep; | Our tears indulged indeed deserve our shame: | Ye that e'er lost an angel! pity me. | Soon as the lustre languish'd in her eye, | Dawning a dimmer day on human sight; | And on her cheek, the residence of spring, | Pale omen sat, and scatter'd fears around | On all that saw, and who would cease to gaze | That once had seen? with haste, parental haste | I flew, I snatch'd her from the rigid north, | Her native bed, on which bleak boreas blew, | And bore her nearer to the sun; the sun, | As if the sun could envy, check'd his beam, | Denied his wonted succour, nor with more | Regret beheld her drooping, than the bells | Of lilies! fairest lilies not so fair. | Queen lilies! and ye painted populace! | Who dwell in fields, and lead ambrosial lives; | In morn and evening dew your beauties bathe, | And drink the sun, which gives your cheeks to glow, | And out-blush, mine excepted, every fair; | You gladlier grew, ambitious of her hand | Which often cropp'd your odours, incense meet | To thought so pure: ye lovely fugitives! | Coeval race with man, for man you smile; | Why not smile at him too? you share indeed | His sudden pass, but not his constant pain. | So man is made, nought ministers delight | But what his growing passions can engage;"; lower right: "inv & s | WB"; lower left: "London, Pubd. June 27, 1796, by R Edwards, 142 New Bond Strt."

Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1978.43.1401
Classification:
Prints
Collection:
Prints and Drawings
Subject Terms:
clouds | flower (plant) | flowers (plants) | horse (animal) | literary theme | men | nudes | plant | reclining | sun | sunset | text | vine | women
Access:
Accessible by appointment in the Study Room [Request]
Note: The Study Room is open by appointment. Please visit the Study Room page on our website for more details.
Link:
https://collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/tms:2327
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The Romantic Print in the Age of Revolutions: Hero, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History (Yale Center for British Art, 2003-01-23 - 2003-06-01) [YCBA Objects in the Exhibition] [Exhibition Description]


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