Page:The letters of William Blake (1906).djvu/107

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
THE LIFE OF WILLIAM BLAKE
49

decorations as her husband, which also was her desire, and was followed to her grave by two whom she dearly loved, nay almost idolised, whose welfare was interwoven with the chords of her life and whose well-being was her only solace, her only motive for exertion, her only joy. The news of any success to them was a ray of sun in the dark twilight of her life. Their cares were hers, their sorrows were her own. To them she was as the fondest mother, as the most affectionate sister, and as the best of friends. These had the satisfaction of putting into her trembling hands the last cup of moisture she applied to her dying lips, and to them she bequeathed her all. But as the affectionate remembrances would call forth as many pages as can now be afforded in words, some future and more lengthened praises must exhibit that gratitude which nothing but a whole book could expiate.

Four other friends, being Mr. Bird, painter, Mr. Denham, sculptor, Mr. and Mrs. Richmond, followed with them the remains of this irradiated saint.