Page:Life of William Blake 2, Gilchrist.djvu/171

23.

The trees bring forth sweet ecstasy
To all who in the desert roam;
Till many a city there is built,
And many a pleasant shepherd's home.

24.

But when they find the frowning babe,
Terror strikes through the region wide:
They cry—'the babe—the babe is born!'
And flee away on every side.

25.

For who dare touch the frowning form,
His arm is withered to its root:
Bears, lions, wolves, all howling flee,
And every tree doth shed its fruit.

26.

And none can touch that frowning form
Except it be a woman old;
She nails it down upon the rock,
And all is done as I have told.