A Pretty Epigram

by William Blake

Blake manuscript - Notebook 1808 - 47-49 Swelld limbs... etc.

Edited text:^[1]

A Pretty Epigram for the encouragement of those who have paid great sums in the Venetian and Flemish ooze

NATURE^[2] and Art in this together suit:
What is most grand is always most minute.
Rubens thinks tables, chairs and stools are grand,
But Raphael thinks a head, a foot, a hand.

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The original text:^[3]

 
A Pretty Epigram for the Entertainment of those who have Paid Great Sums in the Venetian & Flemish Ooze^[4]

Nature & Art in this together Suit
What is Most Grand is always most Minute
Rubens thinks Tables Chairs & Stools are Grand
But Rafael thinks A Head a foot a hand

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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 The Poetical Works of William Blake, including the unpublished French Revolution together with the Minor Prophetic Books and Selections from The Four Zoas, Milton & Jerusalem; edited with an introduction and textual notes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. A Pretty Epigram for those who have given high prices for bad pictures MS. 1st rdg. del.
3. "The Complete Poetry & Prose of William Blake", ed. by David V. Erdman, Anchor Books, 1988, p. 513.
4. A Pretty Epigram . . . N 38
   Title revised in ms thus: A [Pretty Epigram for <the entertainment of> those who have Given high Prices for Bad Pictures And ?have] Pretty Epigram for [those] the Entertainment of those Who pay] <have Paid> Great Sums in the Venetian & Flemish Ooze