The Poetry and Prose of William Blake Edited by David V. Erdman: Commentary by Harold Bloom |
 | I. |
 | II. |
|
|
|
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XV. |
 | Chap: IV The Poetry and Prose of William Blake |  |
Chap: IV
1
Then Light first began; from the firesBeams, conducted by fluid so pure
Flow'd around the Immense: Los beheld
Forthwith, writhing upon the dark void
93
Hurtling upon the wind
Like a serpent! like an iron chain
Whirling about in the Deep.
2
Upfolding his Fibres togetherTo a Form of impregnable strength
Los astonish'd and terrified, built
Furnaces; he formed an Anvil
A Hammer of adamant then began
The binding of Urizen day and night
3
Circling round the dark Demon, with howlingsDismay & sharp blightings; the Prophet
Of Eternity beat on his iron links.
4
And first from those infinite firesThe light that flow'd down on the winds
He siez'd; beating incessant, condensing
The subtil particles in an Orb.
5
Roaring indignant the bright sparksEndur'd the vast Hammer; but unwearied
Los beat on the Anvil; till glorious
An immense Orb of fire he fram'd
6
Oft he quench'd it beneath in the DeepsThen survey'd the all-bright mass. Again
Siezing fires from the terrific Orbs
He heated the round Globe, then beat[,]
While roaring his Furnaces endur'd
The chaind Orb in their infinite wombs
7
Nine ages completed their circlesWhen Los heated the glowing mass, casting
It down into the Deeps: the Deeps fled
Away in redounding smoke; the Sun
Stood self-balanc'd. And Los smild with joy.
He the vast Spine of Urizen siez'd
And bound down to the glowing illusion
8
But no light, for the Deep fled awayOn all sides, and left an unform'd
Dark vacuity: here Urizen lay
In fierce torments on his glowing bed
94
9
Till his Brain in a rock, & his HeartIn a fleshy slough formed four rivers
Obscuring the immense Orb of fire
Flowing down into night: till a Form
Was completed, a Human Illusion
In darkness and deep clouds involvd.
| Chap: IV The Poetry and Prose of William Blake | |