Page:Life of William Blake 2, Gilchrist.djvu/182

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SELECTIONS FROM BLAKE'S WRITINGS.

LOVE AND DECEIT.

Love to faults is always blind,
Always is to joy inclin'd,
Lawless, winged and unconfin'd,
And breaks all chains from every mind.


Deceit, to secrecy inclin'd,
Moves lawful, courteous and refin'd,
To everything but interest blind,
And forges fetters for the mind.


There souls of men are bought and sold,
And milk-fed infancy, for gold,
And youth to slaughter-houses led,
And beauty, for a bit of bread.