O dear Mother Outline! of wisdom most sage. On Art and Artists. William Blake. 1908. The Poetical Works

William Blake (1757–1827). The Poetical Works. 1908.

On Art and Artists

O dear Mother Outline! of wisdom most sage


IV ‘O DEAR Mother Outline! of wisdom most sage,
What’s the first part of painting?’ She said: ‘Patronage.’
‘And what is the second, to please and engage?’
She frowned like a fury, and said: ‘Patronage.’
‘And what is the third? She put off old age,	5
And smil’d like a siren, and said: ‘Patronage.