Print made by William Blake, 1757–1827, BritishHand colored by William Blake, 1757–1827, BritishText by Edward Young, 1683–1765, BritishPublished by Richard Edwards, active 1796–1797, British
Title:
'Is lost in love! thou great Philanthropist' (Page 87)
Date:
1797
Materials & Techniques:
Etching, engraving, and letterpress, with hand coloring in watercolor on moderately thick, slightly textured, cream wove paper
Dimensions:
Spine: 17 1/2 inches (44.5 cm)
Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering:
Lettered inside image: "87 | His wrath inflamed? his tenderness on fire; | Like soft, smooth oil, outblazing other fires? | Can prayer, can praise avert it?--THOU! my all, | My theme, my inspiration, and my crown! | My strength in age, my rise in low estate! | My soul's ambition, pleasure, wealth!--my world! | My light in darkness, and my life in death! | My boast through time! bliss through eternity-- | Eternity, too short to speak thy praise! | Or fathom thy profound of love to man-- | To man of men the meanest, even to me! | My sacrifice! my GOD! what things are these! | What then art THOU? by what name shall I call THEE? | Knew I the name devout archangels use, | Devout archangels should the name enjoy | By me unrivall'd; thousands more sublime, | None half so dear as that, which, though unspoke | Still glows at heart: O how omnipotence | *Is lost in love! thou great PHILANTHROPIST! Father of angels! but the friend of man! | Like Jacob, fondest of the younger born! | THOU! Who didst save him, snatch the smoking brand | From out the flames, and quench it in thy blood; | How art thou pleased by bounty to distress! | To make us groan beneath our gratitude, | Too big for birth! to favour and confound; | To challenge, and to distance all return! | Lavish of love, stupendous heights to soar | And leave praise panting in the distant vale! | Thy right too great defrauds THEE of thy due;"
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1992.8.10(36)
Classification:
Prints
Collection:
Prints and Drawings
Subject Terms:
religious and mythological subject | literary theme | beard | text | men | women | children