Page:The Poems of William Blake (Shepherd, 1887).djvu/147

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EXPERIENCE.
123

 
Smelling to his prey;
But their fears allay
When he licks their hands,
And silent by them stands.
 
They look upon his eyes
Fill'd with deep surprise;
And, wondering, behold
A spirit arm'd in gold—

On his head a crown;
On his shoulders down
Flow'd his golden hair;
Gone was all their care.
 
"Follow me," he said;
"Weep not for the maid;
"In my palace deep
"Lyca lies asleep."

Then they followed
Where the vision led;
And saw their sleeping child
Among tigers wild.
 
To this day they dwell
In a lonely dell;
Nor fear the wolvish howl,
Nor the lion's growl.