To Tirzah

William Blake(1757–1827)

Songs of Innocence and of Experience, 1794

Whate'er is Born of Mortal birthMust be consumèd with the Earth,To rise from Generation free:Then what have I to do with thee?

The Sexes sprung from Shame and Pride,Blow'd in the morn; in evening died;But Mercy changed Death into Sleep;The Sexes rose to work & weep.

Thou, Mother of my Mortal part,With cruelty didst mould my Heart,And with false self-deceiving tearsDidst bind my Nostrils, Eyes, & Ears,

Didst close my Tongue in senseless clay,And me to Mortal Life betray.The Death of Jesus set me free:Then what have I to do with thee?

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

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