Soft deceit & Idleness

by William Blake

Notebook 54 - Self deceit & idleness

1st reading:^[1]

 * * *

[Which are beauties sweetest dress? del.]
Soft deceit & idleness,
These are beauties sweetest dress.

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2nd reading: ^[2]

Soft deceit & Idleness
These are Beautys sweetest dress^[3]

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1. "Blake Complete Writings", ed. Geoffrey Keynes, pub. OUP 1966/85, p. 182.
2. "The Complete Poetry & Prose of William Blake", ed. by David V. Erdman, Anchor Books, 1988, p. 474.
3. Soft deceit & Idleness
   These are Beautys sweetest dress] Line added, on p 103, after cancellation of an introductory question: “Which are beauties sweetest dress”. The poem began as question and answer, was changed to pure answer.