William Blake

William Blake (Bloodmonth 28 1757 – Weedmonrh 12 1827) was an English leethwrite, farseer, mealer, and offset-maker. During his lifetime he was not swithe well known. Today Blake's work is thought to be weighty in the stare of both leethcraft and the sighten crafts. His most well-known lay is "The Stripecat" which was part of his collection "Songs of Guiltlessness and Ordeal: Shewing the Two Witherward Rikes of the Mennish Soul".

Blake was voted 38th in a poll of the 100 Greatest Britons organized by the British Broadcasting Businessbody in 2002.

The Stripecat ("The Tyger" wended)

Stripecat! Stripecat! burning bright In the woodlands of the night, What undying hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what far off deeps or skies Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand dare sieze the fire?

And what shoulder, & what craft. Could twist the sinews of thy heart? And when thy heart began to beat, What dread hand? & what dread feet?

What the hammer? what shackle? In what furnace was thy brain? What the anvil? what dread grasp Dare its deadly affrights clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears, And watered heaven with their tears, Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

Stripecat! Stripecat! burning bright In the woodlands of the night, What undying hand or eye Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?