'How can the bird that is born for joy / Sit in a cage and sing?'

A selection of Blake's most haunting verse, including 'The Songs of Innocence and Experience'.

One of 46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946. Each book gives readers a taste of the Classics' huge range and diversity, with works from around the world and across the centuries - including fables, decadence, heartbreak, tall tales, satire, ghosts, battles and elephants.

From the great visionary and radical genius of the Romantic age, transcendent verse on heaven and hell, innocence and experience.


About the Author
William Blake was born in Soho in 1757 and lived in London all of his life, with the exception of three years spent in Bognor Regis. In 1772 Blake became an apprentice engraver and went on to study at the Royal Academy, where he exhibited in 1780. Blake married Catherine Boucher in 1782 and the following year his first 'illuminated book' Poetical Sketches was printed. Blake's talents in both the visual arts and literature have made him a seminal figure of the Romantic period and he is regarded as one of Britain's greatest poets. He died in 1827.


Book Information
ISBN 9780241251966
Author William Blake
Format Paperback
Page Count 64
Imprint Penguin Classics
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 60g
Dimensions(mm) 158mm * 106mm * 10mm