I Rubens am a Statesman & a Saint

by William Blake

Blake manuscript - Notebook 1808 - 44-45 My title & I Rubens

Edited text:^[1]

* * *

I, RUBENS,^[2] am a statesman and a saint.
Deceptions [both]—and so I’ll learn to paint.

________________________________________

The original text:^[3]

 
* * *

I Rubens am a Statesman & a Saint
Deceptions? O no—so I'll learn to Paint^[4]

________________________________________

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 The Poetical Works of William Blake, including the unpublished French Revolution together with the Minor Prophetic Books and Selections from The Four Zoas, Milton & Jerusalem; edited with an introduction and textual notes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. Rubens had been a statesman or a saint;
   He mixed them both—and so he learn’d to paint.
   MS. 1st rdg. del.
3. "The Complete Poetry & Prose of William Blake", ed. by David V. Erdman, Anchor Books, 1988, p. 513.
4. 1 I Rubens am . . . &] Rubens had been . . . or 1st rdg
   2 1st rdg del;
   He mixd them both & so he Learnd to Paint