William Blake

Prologue, intended for a Dramatic Piece of King Edward the Fourth

O FOR a voice like thunder, and a tongue  
To drown the throat of war! When the senses  
Are shaken, and the soul is driven to madness,  
Who can stand? When the souls of the oppressèd  
Fight in the troubled air that rages, who can stand?      
When the whirlwind of fury comes from the  
Throne of God, when the frowns of his countenance  
Drive the nations together, who can stand?  
When Sin claps his broad wings over the battle,  
And sails rejoicing in the flood of Death;        
When souls are torn to everlasting fire,  
And fiends of Hell rejoice upon the slain,  
O who can stand? O who hath causèd this?  
O who can answer at the throne of God?  
The Kings and Nobles of the Land have done it!        
Hear it not, Heaven, thy Ministers have done it!

Poetical Sketches

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