The Tyger (2nd draft)

by William Blake

For works with similar titles, see The Tyger.

Notebook 26 - Tyger - 2nd draft

1st reading:^[1]

[The Tyger]^[2]

Tyger, Tyger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand [or del.] & eye.
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

Burnt in distant deeps or skies.
The cruel fire of thine eyes?
Could heart descend or wings aspire?
What the hand, dare sieze the fire?

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

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

Tyger, Tyger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand & eye.
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

________

2nd reading:^[3]

[THE TYGER]^[4]

Tyger Tyger burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand [or] & eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry

Burnt in distant deeps or skies
The cruel fire of thine eyes
Could heart descend or wings aspire
What the hand dare sieze the fire

And what shoulder & what art
Could twist the sinews of thy heart
And when thy heart began to beat
What dread hand & what dread feet

When the stars threw down their spears
And waterd heaven with their tears
Did he smile his work to see
Did he who made the lamb make thee

Tyger Tyger burning bright
In the forests of the night
What immortal hand & eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry

________

Wikisource notes

1. "Blake Complete Writings", ed. Geoffrey Keynes, pub. OUP 1966/85, p. 173.
2. The title is added to the 1st draft only.
3. William Blake The Complete Poems", ed. Alicia Ostriker, Penguin Books 1977, p. 146-147.
4. The title is added to the 1st draft only.