Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
William Blake. 17571827483. To the Muses
WHETHER on Ida’s shady brow | |
Or in the chambers of the East, | |
The chambers of the Sun, that now | |
From ancient melody have ceased; | |
Whether in heaven ye wander fair, | 5 |
Or the green corners of the earth, | |
Or the blue regions of the air | |
Where the melodious winds have birth; | |
Whether on crystal rocks ye rove, | |
Beneath the bosom of the sea, | 10 |
Wandering in many a coral grove; | |
Fair Nine, forsaking Poetry; | |
How have you left the ancient love | |
That bards of old enjoy’d in you! | |
The languid strings do scarcely move, | 15 |
The sound is forced, the notes are few. |