Read the lines from the poem ‘The School Boy’ and attempt a brief appreciation focussing on the theme and the
poetic devices used by William Blake.
How can the bird that is born for joy
Sit in a cage and sing?
How can a child, when fears annoy,
But droop his tender wing,
And forget his youthful spring!
O father and mother if buds are nipped,
And blossoms blown away;
And if the tender plants are stripped
Of their joy in the springing day,
By Sorrow and care’* dismay
How shall the summer arise in joy,
Or the summer fruits appear?
Or how shall we gather what griefs ***,
Or bless the mellowing year,
When the blasts of winter appear?