Page:Life of William Blake 2, Gilchrist.djvu/78

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56
SELECTIONS FROM BLAKE'S WRITINGS.

'If her heart does ache,
Then let Lyca wake;
If my mother sleep,
Lyca shall not weep.


'Frowning, frowning night,
O'er this desert bright
Let thy moon arise.
While I close my eyes.'


Sleeping Lyca lay
While the beasts of prey,
Come from caverns deep,
View'd the maid asleep.


The kingly lion stood
And the virgin view'd.
Then he gambol'd round
O'er the hallow'd ground;


Leopards, tigers, play
Round her as she lay,
While the lion old
Bow'd his mane of gold.


And her breast did lick
And upon her neck,
From his eyes of flame,
Ruby tears there came;


While the lioness
Loos'd her slender dress,
And naked they conveyed
To caves the sleeping maid.