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:
'Oft bursts my song beyond the bounds of life' (Page 16)
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)
Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering:
Lettered inside image: "16 | The sprightly lark's shrill matin wakes the morn, | Grief's sharpest thorn hard pressing on my breast; | I strive, with wakeful melody, to cheer | The sullen gloom, sweet philomel! like thee, | And call the stars to listen; every star | Is deaf to mine, enamour'd of thy lay: | Yet be not vain; there are, who thine excel, | And charm through distant ages: wrapp'd in shade, | Pris'ner of darkness! to the silent hours, | How often I repeat their rage divine, | To lull my griefs, and steal my heart from woe! | I roll their raptures, but not catch their fire: | Dark, though not blind, like thee Maeonides! | Or, Milton! thee; ah, could I reach your strain! | Or his, who made Maeonides our own: | Man too he sung--immortal man I sing: | *Oft bursts my song beyond the bounds of life; | What now, but immortality, can please? | O had he press'd his theme, pursued the track, | Which opens out of darkness into day! | O had he mounted on his wing of fire, | Soar'd, where I sink, and sung immortal man! | How had it bless'd mankind, and rescued me!"; lower right: "inv. & sc | WB"; lower left: " London Pubd. June 21, 1796, by R. Edwards, 142 New Bond Street."
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1992.8.10(10)
Classification:
Prints
Collection:
Prints and Drawings
Subject Terms:
thorns | grass | man | lyre | chain | religious and mythological subject | leaf | literary theme | gown | text | chained | vines