One wonders why verse 11...
Illustration
One wonders why verse 11 was omitted as the conclusion to the pericope. William Blake, in a poem, described a comfortable religion that disdained moral challenge.
But if at Church they would give us some Ale,
And a pleasant fire our souls to regale,
We'd sing and we'd pray all the live-long day,
Nor ever once wish from the church to stray.
Then the Parson might preach, and drink, and sing,
And we'd be happy as birds in the Spring; ...
And God, like a father rejoicing to see
His children as happy and pleasant as he,
Would have no more quarrel with the Devil or the Barrel,
But kiss him, and give him both drink and apparel.
But if at Church they would give us some Ale,
And a pleasant fire our souls to regale,
We'd sing and we'd pray all the live-long day,
Nor ever once wish from the church to stray.
Then the Parson might preach, and drink, and sing,
And we'd be happy as birds in the Spring; ...
And God, like a father rejoicing to see
His children as happy and pleasant as he,
Would have no more quarrel with the Devil or the Barrel,
But kiss him, and give him both drink and apparel.
