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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:
'Measuring his motions by revolving spheres' (Page 26)
Part Of:

Collective Title: Young's Night Thoughts

Date:
1797
Materials & Techniques:
Etching, line engraving, and letterpress, with hand coloring in watercolor on moderately thick, slightly textured, cream wove paper
Dimensions:
Spine: 17 1/2 inches (44.5 cm), Sheet: 16 5/8 x 13 inches (42.2 x 33 cm), Plate: 15 5/8 x 13 inches (39.7 x 33 cm)
Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering:

Lettered inside image: "26 | Not on those terms was time, heaven's stranger, sent | On his important embassy to man. | LORENZO! no: on the long-destined hour, | From everlasting ages growing ripe, | That memorable hour of wondrous birth, | When the DREAD SIRE, on emanation bent, | And big with nature, rising in his might, | Call'd forth creation, for then time was born, | By godhead streaming through a thousand worlds; | Not on those terms, from the great days of heaven, | From old eternity's mysterious orb, | Was time cut off, and cast beneath the skies; | The skies, which watch him in his new abode, | *Measuring his motions by revolving spheres; | That horologe machinery divine: | Hours, days, and months, and years, his children play, | Like numerous wings, around him, as he flies; | Or rather, as unequal plumes they shape | His ample pinions, swift as darted flame, | To gain his goal, to reach his ancient rest, | And join anew eternity his sire; | In his immutability to nest, | When worlds, that count his circles now, unhinged, | Fate the loud signal sounding, headlong rush | To timeless night and chaos, whence they rose. | Why spur the speedy? why with levities | New-wing thy short, short day's too rapid flight? | Know'st thou, or what thou dost, or what is done? | Man flies from time, and time from man, too soon in sad divorce this double flight must end;"

Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1992.8.10(16)
Classification:
Prints
Collection:
Prints and Drawings
Subject Terms:
angel | baby | bald | children | dead | death | drinking | food | goblet | literary theme | man | men | religious and mythological subject | text | wings | 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:3544
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