You say their pictures well painted be. On Art and Artists. William Blake. 1908. The Poetical Works

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

On Art and Artists

You say their pictures well painted be


VIII YOU say their pictures well painted be,
And yet they are blockheads you all agree:
Thank God! I never was sent to school
To be flogg’d into following the style of a fool. 1
The errors of a wise man make your rule,	5
Rather than the perfections of a fool.

Note 1. VIII 4 To learn to admire the works of a fool MS. 1st rdg. del. [back]