A Pitiful Case

by William Blake

Blake manuscript - Notebook 1808 - 28 Pitiful Case

Edited text:^[1]

A Pitiful Case

THE VILLAIN at the gallows tree,
When he is doom’d to die,
To assuage his misery
In virtue’s praise does cry.

5 So Reynolds when he came to die,
To assuage his bitter woe,
Thus aloud did howl and cry: 1
‘Michael Angelo! Michael Angelo!’
^[2]

________________________________________

The original text:^[3]

A Pitiful Case^[4]
  
A Pitiful Case t

The Villain at the Gallows tree
When he is doomd to die
To assuage his misery
In Virtues praise does cry
5 So Reynolds when he came to die
To assuage his bitter woe:
Thus aloud did howl & cry^[5]
Michael Angelo Michael Angelo

________________________________________

Notes

1. The Poetical Works of William Blake, including the unpublished French Revolution together with the Minor Prophetic Books and Selections from The Four Zoas, Milton & Jerusalem; edited with an introduction and textual notes by John Sampson, Hon. D.Litt. Oxon., 1862–1931. London, New York: Oxford University Press, 1908.
2. 7 did howl and] was heard to MS. 1st rdg. del.
3. "The Complete Poetry & Prose of William Blake", ed. by David V. Erdman, Anchor Books, 1988, p. 512.
4. Pitiful] mended from Pitiable
5. 7 did howl &] was heard to 1st rdg del