Animal Rights Quotes • Law • Humane Education • Historical Literature eBook Library: Free Full-Text eBooks • Primary Sources
Activists Against Cruelty to Animals: A » B » C » D » E » F » G » H » I » J » K » L » M » N » O » P » Q » R » S » T » U » V » W » X » Y » Z

Animal Rights History Timeline » [1785-1837] Romantic Age » William Blake

William Blake

A Robin Redbreast in a Cage

Auguries of Innocence

[1789] William Blake, "A Robin Redbreast in a Cage," in Auguries of Innocence, in The Poetical Works of William Blake, edited by John Sampson (Oxford, 1905; Google Books: Online Library of Free eBooks).

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 misused 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 Cherubium does cease to sing.

The Game-Cock clipt and arm'd for fight;
Does the Rising Sun affright.

Every Wolf's & Lion's howl
Raises from Hell a Human Soul.

The wild Deer, wandering here and there,
Keeps the Human Soul from Care;

The Lamb misus'd breeds Public Strife,
And yet forgives the Butcher's Knife;

The Bat that Flits at close of Eve
Has left the Brain he won't Believe.

The Owl that calls upon the Night
Speaks the Unbeliever's fright.

He who shall hurt the little Wren
Shall never be beloved by Men.

He who the Ox to wrath has moved
Shall never be by Woman lov'd.

The wanton Boy that kills the Fly
Shall feel the Spider's enmity.

He who torments the Chafer's Sprite
Weaves a Bower in Endless night.

The Caterpiller on the Leaf
Repeats to thee thy Mother's Grief.

Kill not the Moth nor Butterfly,
For the Last Judgment draweth nigh.

He who shall train the horse to war
Shall never pass the Polar Bar.

The Beggar's Dog and Widow's cat,
Feed them & thou wilt grow fat.


* * * * *

The bleat, the bark, bellow, and roar,
Are waves that beat on heaven's shore.