And did those feet in ancient time Poem Analysis
"And did those feet in ancient time" is a short poem by the English poet and painter William Blake, written in the early 1800s. It is also known as "Jerusalem," and has become a popular hymn in Britain. The poem is part of Blake's larger work, "Milton: A Poem in Two Books." Here is the full text of the poem:
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 and pleasant land.
Analysis:
Allusions and symbolism: The poem begins with a reference to an apocryphal story that Jesus, as a young boy, visited England with Joseph of Arimathea. This allusion serves as a starting point for Blake's exploration of the spiritual and cultural state of England. The "holy Lamb of God" symbolizes Jesus, while "Jerusalem" represents a utopian vision of a spiritually awakened and harmonious society.
Imagery: The poem contrasts the natural beauty of England's landscape ("mountains green," "pleasant pastures") with the dark, oppressive imagery of the Industrial Revolution ("dark Satanic mills"). This juxtaposition highlights the tension between the idealized vision of a spiritual and idyllic England and the reality of the country's industrialization, which Blake saw as dehumanizing and destructive to both people and the environment.
Call to action: In the third stanza, the speaker demands the tools necessary for a spiritual and cultural revolution: a "bow of burning gold," "arrows of desire," a spear, and a "chariot of fire." These powerful images signify the need for strength, determination, and courage in the face of adversity.
Persistence and determination: The final stanza emphasizes the speaker's unyielding commitment to "mental fight" and the pursuit of a better, more spiritually enlightened society. The poem ends with a resolve to build "Jerusalem" in England, transforming it into a "green and pleasant land."
In summary, "And did those feet in ancient time" by William Blake is a visionary poem that calls for a spiritual and cultural awakening in England. It contrasts the natural beauty of the country with the dark realities of industrialization and offers a sense of hope and determination for a brighter future.