I, Rubens, am a statesman and a saint. On Art and Artists. William Blake. 1908. The Poetical Works

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

On Art and Artists

I, Rubens, am a statesman and a saint


XXIV I, RUBENS, 1 am a statesman and a saint.
Deceptions [both]—and so I’ll learn to paint.

Note 1. XXIV

Rubens had been a statesman or a saint;

He mixed them both—and so he learn’d to paint.

MS. 1st rdg. del.