Page:The poetical works of William Blake; a new and verbatim text from the manuscript engraved and letterpress originals (1905).djvu/271

Rh cxii

For this is being a Friend just in the nick, Not when he's well, but waiting till he's sick ; He calls you to his help ; be you not mov'd Until, by being sick, his wants are prov'd.

You see him spend his Soul in Prophecy: Do you believe it a confounded lie, Till some Bookseller, & the Public Fame, Prove there is truth in his extravagant claim.

For 'tis atrocious in a Friend you love To tell you anything that he can't prove, And 'tis most wicked in a Christian Nation For any man to pretend to Inspiration.

cxiii

I will tell you what Joseph of Arimathea Said to my Fairy : was not it very queer ? Priestly & Bacon ! What, are you here ? Come before Joseph of Arimathea. Listen patient, & when Joseph has done I will make a fool laugh, & a Fairy fun.