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Creator:
Print made by William Blake, 1757–1827
Title:
"Silent as despairing love, and strong as jealousy..." (Plate 4)
Part Of:

Collective Title: America. A Prophecy, Copy M

Date:
1793
Materials & Techniques:
Relief etching printed in blue ink, with watercolor and pen and black ink on moderately thick, slightly textured, cream wove paper
Dimensions:
Sheet: 14 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches (36.8 x 26.7 cm), Plate: 8 1/2 x 6 3/4 inches (21.6 x 17.1 cm)
Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering:

Inscribed in blue ink upper right: "2"

Lettered upper center: "Silent as despairing love, and strong as jealousy. The hairy shoulders rend the links, free are the wrists of fire; Round the terrific loins he siez'd the panting struggling womb; It joy'd: she put aside her clouds & smiled her first-born smile; As when a black cloud shews its light'nings to the silent deep. | Soon as she saw the terrible boy then burst the virgin cry. | I know thee, I have found thee, & I will not let thee go; Thou art the image of God who dwells in darkness of Africa; And thou art fall'n to give me life in regions of dark death. On my American plains I feel the struggling afflictions Endur'd by roots that writhe their arms into the nether deep: I see a serpent in Canada, who courts me to his love; In Mexico an Eagle, and a Lion in Peru; I see a Whale in the South-sea, drinking my soul away. O what limb rending pains I feel. thy fire & my frost Mingle in howling pains, in furrows by thy lightnings rent; This is eternal death; and this the torment long foretold."

Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1992.8.2(4)
Classification:
Prints
Collection:
Prints and Drawings
Subject Terms:
men | religious and mythological subject | roots | text | trees | vines
Access:
Accessible in the Study Room [Request]
Link:
https://collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/tms:3863
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