William Blake, Songs of Experience: A Little Boy Lost
Nought loves another as itself
Nor venerates another so.
Nor is it possible to Thought
4
A greater than itself to know:
And Father. how can I love you,
Or any of my brothers more?
I love you like the little bird
8
That picks up crumbs around the door.
The Priest sat by and heard the child,
In trembling zeal he siez'd his hair:
He led him by his little coat:
12
And all admir'd the Priestly care.
And standing on the altar high.
Lo what a fiend is here! said he:
One who sets reason up for judge
16
Of our most holy Mystery.
The weeping child could not be heard,
The weeping parents wept in vain:
They strip'd him to his little shirt.
20
And bound him in an iron chain.
And burn'd him in a holy place.
Where many had been burn'd before:
The weeping parents wept in vain.
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Are such things done on Albions shore.