Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience

Good and evil, right and wrong, innocence and sinfulness, redeemed and fallen. 'Songs of Innocence and of Experience' is a classic book of two halves - encapsulated by the extended original title that included 'Shewing the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul'. Accompanied throughout by William Blake's edgily beautiful illustrations, the book is broken into 19 poems of 'Innocence' and 26 of 'Experience'. 'Songs of Innocence' are lyrical and evocative verses depicting life in pastoral harmony and youthful naivety - but with a brooding undercurrent of what is to come. That undercurrent flows rapidly throughout 'Songs of Experience', as the innocence gives way to darkness, threat and worldliness. These mind-bending poems and illustrations are ideal for fans of the poetry of John Milton and Dante Alighieri.