The Little Girl Lost
By William Blake
In futurity
I prophesy
see.
That the
earth from sleep.
(Grave the
sentence deep)
Shall arise
and seek
For her
maker meek:
And the desert
wild
Become a
garden mild.
In the
southern clime,
Where the
summers prime
Never fades
away;
Lovely Lyca
lay.
Seven
summers old
Lovely Lyca
told,
She had
wandered long.
Hearing
wild birds song.
Sweet sleep
come to me
Underneath
this tree;
Do father,
mother weep.--
"Where
can Lyca sleep".
Lost in
desert wild
Is your little
child.
How can
Lyca sleep.
If her
mother weep.
If her
heart does ake.
Then let
Lyca wake;
If my
mother sleep,
Lyca shall
not weep.
Frowning,
frowning night,
O'er this
desert bright.
Let thy
moon arise.
While I
close my eyes.
Sleeping Lyca lay:
While the
beasts of prey,
Come from
caverns deep,
View'd the
maid asleep
The kingly
lion stood
And the
virgin view'd:
Then he
gambolled round
O'er the
hallowed ground:
Leopards,
tygers play,
Round her
as she lay;
While the
lion old,
Bow'd his
mane of gold,
And her
bosom lick,
And upon
her neck,
From his
eyes of flame,
Ruby tears
there came;
While the
lioness
Loos'd her
slender dress,
And naked
they convey'd
To caves
the sleeping maid.
The poem is a part of Willam Blake’s famous
collection of poems “Songs of Innocence” first publish in 1794. It narrates
Lovely Lyca’s journey from innocence in a perpetual summer to the perilous
desert. Seeking rest, she invokes divine protection. The poem is rich in
symbolism and explores innocence and familial bonds.
Explanation
In this stanza, Blake sets a prophetic and
visionary tone. “Futurity” refers to the future. He sees a vision of the earth
awakening from a deep sleep, suggesting a transformation or awakening in nature
or humanity. The phrase “Grave the sentence deep” implies that this vision is
of great importance and should be taken seriously.
Here, Blake continues his vision. The earth, once
awakened, will seek its creator (“maker meek”) in a humble and gentle manner.
The “desert wild” transforming into a “garden mild” symbolizes a shift from
chaos or barrenness to peace and fertility, possibly hinting at a spiritual or
societal renewal.
Blake introduces Lyca, the little girl, and places
her in a beautiful, eternal summer setting in the “southern clime.” The use of
“summer’s prime” suggest an idyllic and perfect state. “Lovely Lyca lay”
indicates she is resting or possibly lost in this enchanting environment.
Lyca is seven years old and has been wandering for
a long time, captivated by the songs of wild birds. This wandering can be seen
as a metaphor for innocence exploring the world or a spiritual journey.
Lyca, feeling tired, seeks rest under a tree. She
wonders if her parents are weeping for her, concerned about where she might
find a safe place to sleep. This reflects a child’s innocent need for comfort
and security.
Blake emphasizes Lyca’s situation-lost in the wild
desert. The rhetorical question underscores the connection between the child’s
peace and the parent’s sorrow, suggesting that parental concern affects the
child’s well-being.
Lyca wishes that if her mother’s heart aches for
her, she should wake her from sleep. Conversely, if her mother can find peace
(sleep), then Lyca will not weep, indicating a deep bond of empathy and concern
between the child and her parents.
As night falls over the bright desert, Lyca asks
for the moon to rise, providing light and comfort in the darkness. This
symbolizes hope and guidance in difficult times as she prepares to sleep.
In this stanza, the imagery shifts to a more
ominous tone. Lyca is sleeping peacefully while dangerous animals (beasts of
prey) emerge from their hiding places (caverns deep) and observe her. This
suggests vulnerability and the presence of potential danger.
However, instead of attacking, the lion, a symbol
of power and majesty, watches Lyca and then playfully gambols around her, suggesting
a protective and almost reverent attitude towards the innocent child.
The other wild animals (leopards, tigers) also
join in playing around Lyca, and the old lion bows his majestic mane. This imagery
conveys a sense of harmony and respect for innocence, implying that even the
wildest of creatures recognize and protect purity.
The lion licks her bosom and neck, a gesture of
care and affection. The “ruby tears” from his eyes of flame suggest a deep
emotional response, indicating a profound connection between the natural world
and Lyca’s innocence.
The lioness gently removes her dress and, together
with the lion, they carry Lyca to their cave. This act of undressing and
carrying her to a safe place symbolizes a nurturing and protective gesture,
almost maternal in nature.
The final stanza transitions to a peaceful and content
atmosphere. The voices of children playing and laughing signify joy and
innocence, bringing a sense of peace and rest. This harmony contrasts with the
earlier tension, suggesting a return to or hope for an idyllic state where
innocence is cherished and protected.
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