E-Text

Songs of Innocence and of Experience

Songs of Experience: The Voice of the Ancient Bard


Youth of delight! come hither

And see the opening morn,

Image of Truth new-born.

Doubt is fled, and clouds of reason,

Dark disputes and artful teazing.

Folly is an endless maze;

Tangled roots perplex her ways;

How many have fallen there!

They stumble all night over bones of the dead;

And feel--they know not what but care;

And wish to lead others, when they should be led.