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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ENGLISH ENCOURAGEMENT OF ART (FIRST READING) by WILLIAM BLAKE

Poet Analysis

First Line: IF YOU MEAN TO PLEASE EVERY BODY YOU WILL
Last Line: OF LIGHTING A LAMP WHEN YOU DONT WISH TO SEE
Subject(s): ART & ARTISTS; BIBLE; CROMEK, ROBERT HARTLEY (1770-1812); MYTHOLOGY;

If you mean to Please Every body you will
Set to work both Ignorance & skill
For a great multitude are Ignorant
And skill to them seems raving & rant
Like putting oil & water into a lamp
Twill make a great splutter with smoke & damp
For there is no use as it seems to me
Of lighting a Lamp when you dont wish to see



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