I asked a thief to steal me a peach

by William Blake

Blake's manuscript: "I asked a thief to steal me a peach..."

 * * *

I asked a thief to steal me a peach;
He turned up his eyes.
I ask’d a lithe lady to lie her down;
Holy & meek she cries.

As soon as I went
An angel came;
He wink’d at the thief
And smil’d at the dame,

And without one word said
Had a peach from the tree,
And still as a maid
Enjoy’d the lady.