William Blake (1757–1827). The Poetical Works. 1908.
Songs of InnocenceOn Anothers Sorrow
C
And not be in sorrow too?
Can I see another’s grief,
And not seek for kind relief?
And not feel my sorrow’s share?
Can a father see his child
Weep, nor be with sorrow fill’d?
An infant groan, an infant fear?
No, no! never can it be!
Never, never can it be!
Hear the wren with sorrows small,
Hear the small bird’s grief and care,
Hear the woes that infants bear,
Pouring pity in their breast;
And not sit the cradle near,
Weeping tear on infant’s tear;
Wiping all our tears away?
O, no! never can it be!
Never, never can it be!
He becomes an infant small;
He becomes a man of woe;
He doth feel the sorrow too.
And thy Maker is not by;
Think not thou canst weep a tear,
And thy Maker is not near.
That our grief He may destroy;
Till our grief is fled and gone
He doth sit by us and moan.