Print made by William Blake, 1757–1827, BritishHand colored by William Blake, 1757–1827, BritishText by Edward Young, 1683–1765, BritishPublished by Richard Edwards, active 1796–1797, British
Title:
'As if the sun could envy, check'd his beam' (Page 49)
Date:
ca. 1797
Materials & Techniques:
Etching, 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)
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:
text | flower (plant) | plant | vine | flowers (plants) | women | men | nudes | literary theme | sunset | reclining | sun | horse (animal) | clouds
Currently On View:
Not on view
Exhibition History:
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)