The Poetry and Prose of William Blake Edited by David V. Erdman: Commentary by Harold Bloom |
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| XII. | XII [THE MARGINALIA] |
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 | The Poetry and Prose of William Blake |  |
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XII
[THE MARGINALIA]
625
Advice of the Popes who succeeded the Age of Rafael
Degrade first the Arts if you'd Mankind degrade,Hire Idiots to Paint with cold light & hot shade:
Give high Price for the worst, leave the best in disgrace,
And with Labours of Ignorance fill every place.
627
[Some look. to see the sweet Outlines]
Some look. to see the sweet OutlinesAnd beauteous Forms that Love does wear
Some look. to find out Patches. Paint.
Bracelets & Stays & Powderd Hair
630
[When Sr Joshua Reynolds died]
When Sr Joshua Reynolds diedAll Nature was degraded
The King dropd a tear into the Queens Ear;
And all his Pictures Faded.
631
[When Nations grow Old. The Arts grow Cold]
When Nations grow Old. The Arts grow ColdAnd Commerce settles on every Tree
And the Poor & the Old can live upon Gold
For all are Born Poor. Aged Sixty three
640
On the Venetian Painter
He makes the Lame to walk we all agreeBut then he strives to blind those who can see.
[A Pair of Stays to mend the Shape]
A Pair of Stays to mend the ShapeOf crooked Humpy Woman:
Put on O Venus! now thou art,
Quite a Venetian Roman.
641
[Venetian; all thy Colouring is no more]
Venetian; all thy Colouring is no moreThan Boulsterd Plasters on a Crooked Whore.
645
[O Reader behold the Philosophers Grave.]
O Reader behold the Philosophers Grave.He was born quite a Fool: but he died quite a Knave
| The Poetry and Prose of William Blake | |