The Angel

William Blake(1757–1827)

Songs of Innocence and of Experience, 1794

I dreamt a dream! What can it mean?And that I was a maiden QueenGuarded by an Angel mild:Witless woe was ne’er beguiled!

And I wept both night and day,And he wiped my tears away;And I wept both day and night,And hid from him my heart’s delight.

So he took his wings, and fled;Then the morn blushed rosy red.I dried my tears, and armed my fearsWith ten thousand shields and spears.

Soon my Angel came again;I was armed, he came in vain;For the time of youth was fled,And grey hairs were on my head.

From Songs of Innocence and of Experience, via the English Wikisource transcription (1826 edition).

Public domainThis poem is in the public domain. You may read it, copy it, recite it and publish it without asking anyone.