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SELECTIONS FROM BLAKE'S WRITINGS.
DAYBREAK.
To find the western path,
Right through the gates of wrath
I urge my way;
Sweet morning leads me on;
With soft repentant moan
I see the break of day.
The war of swords and spears,
Melted by dewy tears,
Exhales on high;
The sun is freed from fears,
And with soft grateful tears
Ascends the sky.
THAMES AND OHIO.
Why should I care for the men of Thames
And the cheating waters of chartered streams;
Or shrink at the little blasts of fear
That the hireling blows into mine ear?
Though born on the cheating banks of Thames-
Though his waters bathed my infant limbs—
The Ohio shall wash his stains from me;
I was born a slave, but I go to be free.
