To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour
A Robin Red breast in a Cage
Puts all Heaven in a Rage
A Dove house filled with Doves & Pigeons
Shudders Hell thr all its regions
A dog starved at his Masters Gate
Predicts the ruin of the State
A Horse misused upon the Road
Calls to Heaven for Human blood
Each outcry of the hunted Hare
A fibre from the Brain does tear
A Skylark wounded in the wing
A Cherubim does cease to sing
The Game Cock clipped & armed for fight
Does the Rising Sun affright
Every Wolves & Lions howl
Raises from Hell a Human Soul
The wild deer, wandering here & there
Keeps the Human Soul from Care
The Lamb misused breeds Public Strife
And yet forgives the Butcher’s knife
The Bat that flits at close of Eve
Has left the Brain that wont Believe
The Owl that calls upon the Night
Speaks the Unbelievers fright
He who shall hurt the little Wren
Shall never be beloved by Men
He who the Ox to wrath has moved
Shall never be by Woman loved
The wanton Boy that kills the Fly
Shall feel the Spiders enmity
He who torments the Chafers Sprite
Weaves a Bower in endless Night
The Caterpillar on the Leaf
Repeats to thee thy Mothers grief
Kill not the Moth nor Butterfly
For the Last Judgment draweth nigh
He who shall train the Horse to War
Shall never pass the Polar Bar
The Beggars Dog & Widows Cat
Feed them & thou wilt grow fat
The Gnat that sings his Summers Song
Poison gets from Slanders tongue
The poison of the Snake & Newt
Is the sweat of Envy’s Foot
The poison of the Honey Bee
Is the Artist’s Jealousy
The Princes Robes & Beggars Rags
Are Toadstools on the Misers Bags
A Truth that is told with bad intent
Beats all the Lies you can invent
It is right it should be so
Man was made for Joy & Woe
And when this we rightly know
Through the World we safely go
Joy & Woe are woven fine
A Clothing for the soul divine
Under every grief & pine
Runs a joy with silken twine
The Babe is more than swaddling Bands
Throughout all these Human Lands
Tools were made & Born were hands
Every Farmer Understands
Every Tear from Every Eye
Becomes a Babe in Eternity
This is caught by Females bright
And returned to its own delight
The Bleat the Bark Bellow & Roar
Are Waves that Beat on Heavens Shore
The Babe that weeps the Rod beneath
Writes Revenge in realms of Death
The Beggars Rags fluttering in Air
Does to Rags the Heavens tear
The Soldier armed with Sword & Gun
Palsied strikes the Summers Sun
The poor Mans Farthing is worth more
Than all the Gold on Africs Shore
One Mite wrung from the Labrers hands
Shall buy & sell the Misers Lands
Or if protected from on high
Does that whole Nation sell & buy
He who mocks the Infants Faith
Shall be mocked in Age & Death
He who shall teach the Child to Doubt
The rotting Grave shall never get out
He who respects the Infants faith
Triumphs over Hell & Death
The Child’s Toys & the Old Mans Reasons
The Questioner who sits so sly
Shall never know how to Reply
He who replies to words of Doubt
Doth put the Light of Knowledge out
The Strongest Poison ever known
Came from Caesars Laurel Crown
Nought can Deform the Human Race
Like to the Armours iron brace
When Gold & Gems adorn the Plow
To peaceful Arts shall Envy Bow
A Riddle or the Crickets Cry
Is to Doubt a fit Reply
The Emmets Inch & Eagles Mile
Make Lame Philosophy to smile
He who Doubts from what he sees
Will never Believe do what you Please
If the Sun & Moon should Doubt
They immediately Go out
To be in a Passion you Good may Do
But no Good if a Passion is in you
The Whore & Gambler by the State
Licensed build that Nations Fate
The Harlots cry from Street to Street
Shall weave Old Englands winding Sheet
The Winners Shout the Losers Curse
Dance before dead Englands Hearse
Every Night & every Morn
Some to Misery are Born
Every Morn and every Night
Some are Born to sweet delight
Some are Born to sweet delight
Some are Born to Endless Night
We are led to Believe a Lie
When we see not Through the Eye
Which was Born in a Night to perish in a Night
When the Soul Slept in Beams of Light
God Appears & God is Light
To those poor Souls who dwell in Night
But does a Human Form Display
To those who Dwell in Realms of day
Welcome, fellow explorers of literature, to a journey into the profound depths of William Blake’s “Auguries of Innocence.” This remarkable poem, a collection of prophetic insights, invites us to look beyond the surface of the world and discover the intricate connections that bind all existence. Prepare to unlock the wisdom embedded in every line, revealing how even the smallest actions can echo through eternity.
Understanding “Auguries of Innocence”
William Blake’s “Auguries of Innocence” is not a conventional narrative but a series of powerful, aphoristic statements that function as omens or predictions. It is a profound exploration of the interconnectedness of all life and the cosmic consequences of human actions, particularly those involving cruelty or compassion.
What is “Auguries of Innocence” About?
- Overview: The poem presents a vision where every seemingly insignificant act, whether kind or cruel, reverberates throughout the universe. Blake argues that the suffering of a small creature or a vulnerable person is not isolated but sends ripples through both the earthly and spiritual realms, affecting heaven and hell alike. It is a call to awaken our moral imagination and recognize the divine spark in all beings.
- Central Idea: At its heart, the poem champions the sacredness of all life and warns against the devastating impact of oppression and injustice. A key line,
A Robin Red breast in a Cage
Puts all Heaven in a Rageencapsulates this belief, asserting that even the confinement of a small bird provokes a divine outcry. This highlights Blake’s conviction that true understanding comes from recognizing the inherent value and interconnectedness of every living thing.
- Noteworthy Knowledge: Blake’s poem challenges conventional morality, suggesting that true wisdom lies in empathy and a holistic view of existence. It is a powerful critique of societal injustices, human cruelty, and the limitations of a purely rational, materialistic worldview. The poem’s structure, a collection of seemingly disparate couplets, reinforces its prophetic quality, each line an independent revelation contributing to a larger, universal truth.
In-Depth Analysis of “Auguries of Innocence”
“Auguries of Innocence” is a tapestry woven with symbolic pronouncements, each inviting deep reflection. Let us unravel some of its most compelling threads.
The Microcosm and Macrocosm: Seeing the Infinite in the Small
Blake opens the poem with a breathtaking declaration, immediately establishing the principle of microcosm and macrocosm. This idea suggests that the entire universe, with its vastness and complexity, can be perceived within the smallest details of existence. True vision, Blake implies, is not about seeking grand spectacles but about recognizing the divine within the mundane.
To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour
These lines set the stage for the poem’s central argument: that even seemingly insignificant acts can have cosmic repercussions. The “auguries” are these very predictions, revealing how the fate of a tiny creature can foretell the destiny of nations or even the state of the heavens.
The Interconnectedness of Suffering and Joy: A Cosmic Balance
A fundamental theme in “Auguries of Innocence” is the profound interplay between joy and woe, suggesting they are inextricably linked and essential to the human soul. Blake sees them as “woven fine, a Clothing for the soul divine,” implying a necessary balance in the fabric of existence.
However, the poem also vividly illustrates how human cruelty disrupts this balance, leading to dire consequences. Consider the powerful image:
The Babe that weeps the Rod beneath
Writes Revenge in realms of Death
This line highlights that suffering, particularly that inflicted upon the innocent, does not simply vanish. It creates a corresponding reaction, a cosmic imbalance that demands rectification. Acts of cruelty or oppression inevitably lead to consequences, echoing through the spiritual realms and demanding justice. This is a universe where everything is connected by a profound network of cause and effect.
Animal Imagery as a Moral Compass
Throughout the poem, Blake employs vivid animal imagery not merely as decoration but as a potent critique of human behavior and societal values. Animals serve as sensitive barometers, reflecting the moral health of humanity and the consequences of its actions.
A dog starved at his Masters Gate
Predicts the ruin of the State
This is not a literal prediction of political collapse but a profound symbolic statement. It suggests that a society that allows its most vulnerable members, represented by the loyal but neglected dog, to suffer at its very gates is a society devoid of compassion and is thus inherently unstable, destined for moral and perhaps actual ruin. Similarly, the mistreatment of a lamb or a horse reflects a broader disregard for life and justice, indicating a spiritual sickness within humanity.
Critique of Social Injustice and Corrupt Authority
Blake extends his vision beyond individual acts of cruelty to a scathing critique of societal structures and corrupt authority. He exposes how institutionalized power often perpetuates suffering and distorts truth.
The poor Mans Farthing is worth more
Than all the Gold on Africs Shore
One Mite wrung from the Labrers hands
Shall buy & sell the Misers Lands
These lines powerfully assert the moral superiority of the poor and oppressed. The “Farthing” or “Mite” represents the meager earnings of the laborer, yet its value, when viewed through a divine lens, far surpasses the vast wealth accumulated through exploitation. Blake suggests that the true measure of worth is not material wealth but the integrity and suffering of the human spirit, implying a coming reversal of fortunes where justice will prevail.
The Subversion of Conventional Morality and the Power of Faith
Blake consistently challenges traditional notions of right and wrong, often suggesting that true morality and spiritual insight lie beyond conventional standards and institutionalized religion. He champions the innocence and faith of a child as a pathway to divine truth.
He who respects the Infants faith
Triumphs over Hell & Death
He who shall teach the Child to Doubt
The rotting Grave shall never get out
These lines emphasize the paramount importance of nurturing innocence and believing in the power of imagination and uncorrupted faith. Blake suggests that true strength and salvation come not from worldly power or cynical reason, but from embracing the pure, unquestioning belief characteristic of childhood. To corrupt this innocence with doubt is to condemn oneself to spiritual stagnation.
The Cycle of Existence: Joy, Woe, and Rebirth
The poem also delves into the cyclical nature of existence, where themes of birth, death, and rebirth are intricately woven into the fabric of human experience and cosmic order. Even suffering, in Blake’s vision, can be a catalyst for transformation.
Every Tear from Every Eye
Becomes a Babe in Eternity
This is caught by Females bright
And returned to its own delight
This profound image suggests that even the deepest sorrow and loss are not futile. Every tear shed is not merely an expression of grief but a seed of new life, a “Babe in Eternity.” This reinforces the idea that the universe operates according to a larger, divine order where suffering can be transformed into new forms of joy and existence, highlighting an eternal cycle of renewal and interconnectedness.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “Auguries of Innocence”
Blake’s profound messages are conveyed through a masterful deployment of literary and poetic devices, making “Auguries of Innocence” a rich text for analysis.
- Aphorism: Many lines function as concise, memorable statements of universal truth or wisdom. They are short, pithy observations intended to provoke thought.
To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild FlowerThis opening couplet serves as a quintessential aphorism, encapsulating a vast philosophical idea in a few striking words.
- Symbolism: The entire poem is steeped in symbolism, where animals, objects, and actions represent broader concepts and ideas.
A Robin Red breast in a Cage
Puts all Heaven in a RageThe “Robin Red breast” symbolizes innocence and vulnerability, while the “Cage” represents oppression and confinement. Their interaction symbolizes the cosmic outrage at injustice.
- Juxtaposition: Blake frequently places contrasting ideas or images side-by-side to highlight their differences and create tension or deeper meaning.
Joy & Woe are woven fine
A Clothing for the soul divineHere, “Joy & Woe” are juxtaposed, not as opposites to be separated, but as intrinsically linked elements that together form the complete experience of the soul.
- Parallelism and Anaphora: The use of similar grammatical structures or the repetition of words at the beginning of successive clauses creates a sense of balance, rhythm, and emphasis.
He who shall hurt the little Wren
Shall never be beloved by Men
He who the Ox to wrath has moved
Shall never be by Woman lovedThe repeated “He who” structure (anaphora) and the similar sentence construction (parallelism) emphasize the moral consequences of cruelty towards animals.
- Hyperbole: Blake often uses exaggeration for dramatic effect, to underscore the immense impact of seemingly small actions.
A Dove house filled with Doves & Pigeons
Shudders Hell thr all its regionsThe idea that a dove house could make “Hell shudder” is a hyperbole, emphasizing the profound spiritual disturbance caused by human cruelty, even to seemingly insignificant creatures.
- Metaphor: Blake uses figurative language where a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable, suggesting a resemblance.
The Princes Robes & Beggars Rags
Are Toadstools on the Misers BagsHere, “Princes Robes & Beggars Rags” are metaphorically compared to “Toadstools,” suggesting they are both superficial, perhaps even poisonous, growths on the “Misers Bags” of accumulated wealth, highlighting the vanity of material possessions.
- Alliteration and Assonance: These sound devices enhance the poem’s rhythm and musicality. Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds, while assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds.
The wild deer, wandering here & there
Keeps the Human Soul from CareThe repetition of the ‘w’ sound in “wild” and “wandering” is an example of alliteration, creating a gentle, flowing rhythm that mirrors the deer’s movement.
“Auguries of Innocence” stands as a testament to William Blake’s visionary genius. It is a poem that transcends its time, offering profound insights into the human condition, the interconnectedness of life, and the eternal consequences of our choices. By engaging with its rich symbolism and powerful pronouncements, readers can gain a deeper appreciation for the delicate balance of the universe and their own role within it. Blake’s enduring voice continues to challenge and inspire, urging us to cultivate compassion, cherish innocence, and see the infinite in every grain of sand.