Living

Song by an Old Shepherd

by William Blake 1757–1827

From Poetical Sketches (1783)

Living

When silver snow decks Sylvia's clothes,
And jewel hangs at shepherd's nose.
We can abide life's pelting storm,
That makes our limbs quake, if our hearts be warm.

Whilst Virtue is our walking-staff,
And Truth a lantern to our path,
We can abide life's pelting storm.
That makes our limbs quake, if our hearts be warm.

Blow, boisterous wind, stern Winter frown,
Innocence is a Winter's gown.
So clad, we'll abide life's pelting storm.
That makes our limbs quake, if our hearts be warm.

MLA

Blake, William. “Song by an Old Shepherd.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/blake/109/.

Chicago

Blake, William. “Song by an Old Shepherd.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/blake/109/.

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