Mock on, Mock on, Voltaire, Rousseau

by William Blake

Notebook 1800 - 04a Mock on Mock on Voltaire Rousseau

Notebook 1800 - 04b Mock on Mock on Voltaire Rousseau

1st reading:^[1]

 * * *

Mock on, Mock on Voltaire, Rousseau:
Mock on, Mock on: 'tis all in vain!
You throw the sand against the wind,
And the wind blows it back again.

And every sand becomes a Gem
Reflected in the beams divine;
Blown back they blind the mocking Eye,
But still in Israel's paths they shine.

The Atoms of Democritus
And Newton's Particles of light
Are sands upon the Red sea shore,
Where Israel's tents do shine so bright.

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2nd reading:^[2]

 * * *

Mock on Mock on Voltaire Rousseau
Mock on Mock on! tis all in vain!
You throw the sand against the wind
And the wind blows it back againt

And every sand becomes a Gem
Reflected in the beams divine
Blown back they blind the mocking Eye
But still in Israels paths they shine

The Atoms of Democritus
And Newtons Particles of light
Are sands upon the Red sea shore
Where Israels tents do shine so bright

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1. "Blake Complete Writings", ed. Geoffrey Keynes, pub. OUP 1966/85, p. 418.
2. "The Complete Poetry & Prose of William Blake", ed. by David V. Erdman, Anchor Books, 1988, p. 477.