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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CLOD AND THE PEBBLE, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: LOVE SEEKETH NOT ITSELF TO PLEASE
Last Line: "AND BUILDS A HELL IN HEAVEN'S DESPITE."
Subject(s): BIBLE; HUMILITY; LOVE; MYTHOLOGY;
"Love seeketh not Itself to please,
Nor for itself hath any care;
But for another gives its ease,
And builds a Heaven in Hell's despair."

So sang a little Clod of Clay,
Trodden with the cattle's feet;
But a Pebble of the brook,
Warbled out these metres meet:

"Love seeketh only Self to please,
To bind another to its delight,
Joys in another's loss of ease,
And builds a Hell in Heaven's despite."


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