I saw a Chapel all of Gold. Poems from the Rossetti MS.: Earlier Poems. William Blake. 1908. The Poetical Works

William Blake (1757–1827). The Poetical Works. 1908.

Poems from the Rossetti MS.: Earlier Poems

I saw a Chapel all of Gold


I SAW 1 a Chapel all of gold
That none did dare to enter in,
And many weeping stood without,
Weeping, mourning, worshipping.

I saw a Serpent rise between	5
The white pillars of the door,
And he forc’d and forc’d and forc’d;
Down the golden hinges tore,

And along the pavement sweet,
Set with pearls and rubies bright,	10
All his shining length he drew,
Till upon the altar white

Vomiting his poison out
On the Bread and on the Wine.
So I turn’d into a sty,	15
And laid me down among the swine.

Note 1. I saw a Chapel, &c.] 8 Till he broke the pearly door MS. 1st rdg. del. [back]