WILLIAM BLAKE
Reading edition
England, 1757-1827
The Piper
Piping down the valleys wild, Piping songs of pleasant glee, 10 On a cloud I saw a child, And he, laughing, said to me: "Pipe a song about a lamb." So I piped with merry cheer, "Piper, pipe that song again." 15 So I piped; he wept to hear. "Drop thy pipe, thy happy pipe, Sing thy songs of happy cheer." So I sung the same again, While he wept with joy to hear. "Piper, sit thee down and write 5 In a book that all may read." So he vanish'd from my sight; And I pluck'd a hollow reed, And I made a rural pen, And I stain'd the water clear, 10 And I wrote my happy songs Every child may joy to hear.