The Whore & Gambler by the State
Licencd build that Nations Fate.
The Harlots cry from Street to Street
Shall weave Old Englands winding Sheet.
The Winners Shout the Losers Curse
Dance before dead Englands Hearse.

— excerpt from William Blake’s “Auguries of Innocence”

“Lupinar Romain,” from Histoire de la Prostitution Chez tous les Peuples du Monde, 1851

The poison of the Snake & Newt
Is the sweat of Envy’s Foot.
The poison of the Honey Bee
Is the Artist’s Jealousy.
The Prince’s Robes & Beggars Rags
Are Toadstools on the Misers Bags.
A Truth that’s told with bad intent
Beats all the Lies you can invent.

It is right it should be so —
Man was made for Joy & Woe.
And when this we rightly know
Thro the World we safely go.
Joy & Woe are woven fine —
A Clothing for the soul divine.
Under every grief & pine
Runs a joy with silken twine.

— excerpt from William Blake’s “Auguries of Innocence”

A Horse misusd upon the Road
Calls to Heaven for Human blood
Each outcry of the hunted Hare
A fibre from the Brain does tear
A Skylark wounded in the wing
A Cherubim does cease to sing
The Game Cock clipd & armd for fight
Does the Rising Sun affright.

— excerpt from William Blake’s “Auguries of Innocence”

A Robin Redbreast in a Cage
Puts all Heaven in a Rage.
A dove house fill’d with doves and pigeons
Shudders Hell thro’ all its regions.
A Dog starv’d at his Master’s Gate
Predicts the ruin of the State.
A Horse misus’d upon the Road
Calls to Heaven for Human blood.
Each outcry of the hunted Hare
A fiber from the Brain does tear.

— excerpt from William Blake’s “Auguries of Innocence”