| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| William Blake. 1757–1827 |
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| 483. To the Muses |
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| WHETHER on Ida's shady brow | |
| Or in the chambers of the East, | |
| The chambers of the Sun, that now | |
| From ancient melody have ceased; | |
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| Whether in heaven ye wander fair, | 5 |
| Or the green corners of the earth, | |
| Or the blue regions of the air | |
| Where the melodious winds have birth; | |
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| Whether on crystal rocks ye rove, | |
| Beneath the bosom of the sea, | 10 |
| Wandering in many a coral grove; | |
| Fair Nine, forsaking Poetry; | |
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| How have you left the ancient love | |
| That bards of old enjoy'd in you! | |
| The languid strings do scarcely move, | 15 |
| The sound is forced, the notes are few. | |
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