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When the voices of children are heard on the green

From Wikisource
For works with similar titles, see Nurse's Song.
Notebook 23. "When the voices of children are heard on the green..."
by William Blake

From Notebook, p. 109, reversed. First draft of Nurse's Song (Blake, 1794) from Songs of Experience.

1543319Notebook 23. "When the voices of children are heard on the green..."William Blake
Notebook 23 - When the voices of children are heard on the green


 * * *

When the voices of children are heard on the green,
And whisperings are in the dale,
The [desires del.] days of my youth rise fresh in my mind,
My face turns green & pale.

Then come home, my children, the sun is gone down
And the dews of night arise;
Your spring & your day are wasted in play,
And your winter & night in disguise.