And did those feet in ancient time, Walk upon England's mountains green? And was the holy Lamb of God On England's pleasant pastures seen? And did the Countenance Divine Shine forth upon our clouded hills? And was Jerusalem builded here Among these dark Satanic mills? Bring me my Bow of burning gold, Bring me my Arrows of desire, Bring me my Spear-O clouds, unfold! Bring me my Chariot of fire! I will not cease from mental fight, Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, Till we have built Jerusalem In England's green & pleasant land.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Blake envisions a spiritual battle to create a utopian England, using vivid martial imagery to describe artistic and moral struggle.
- In plain terms
- Fight mentally and spiritually to build a better, almost biblical, England.
- What can you take from it?
- Use creative energy to transform society.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What does 'Jerusalem in England' represent for you?
- How can artistic struggle affect real change?
Another view
The metaphorical language may be too abstract for practical implementation.
More from William Blake
Rouze up, O Young Men of the New Age! set your foreheads against the ignorant Hirelings! For we have Hirelings in the Camp, the Court & the University, who wou…
Permalink to quote #138 Great things are done when men and mountains meet; This is not done by jostling in the street.
Permalink to quote #140 The Stolen and Perverted Writings of Homer & Ovid, of Plato & Cicero, which all men ought to contemn, are set up by artifice against the Sublime of the Bible
Permalink to quote #137
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