The Human Abstract

by William Blake

　　Pity would be no more

　　If we did not make somebody Poor;

　　And Mercy no more could be

　　If all were as happy as we.

　　And mutual fear brings peace,

　　Till the selfish loves increase:

　　Then Cruelty knits a snare,

　　And spreads his baits with care.

　　He sits down with holy fears,

　　And waters the ground with tears;

　　Then Humility takes its root

　　Underneath his foot.

　　Soon spreads the dismal shade

　　Of Mystery over his head;

　　And the Catterpillar and Fly

　　Feed on the Mystery.

　　And it bears the fruit of Deceit,

　　Ruddy and sweet to eat;

　　And the Raven his nest has made

　　In its thickest shade.

　　The Gods of the earth and sea

　　Sought thro' Nature to find this Tree;

　　But their search was all in vain:

　　There grows one in the Human Brain.