The Smile

There is a smile of love,
And there is a smile of deceit,
And there is a smile of smiles
In which these two smiles meet.

And there is a frown of hate,
And there is a frown of disdain,
And there is a frown of frowns
Which you strive to forget in vain,

For it sticks in the heart's deep core
And it sticks in the deep backbone--
And no smile that ever was smil'd,
But only one smile alone,

That betwixt the cradle and grave
It only once smil'd can be;
And, when it once is smil'd,
There's an end to all misery.

More poems by William Blake

I heard an Angel singing

I heard an Angel singing / When the day was springing:

William Blake

Hear the Voice of the Bard

Hear the voice of the Bard ! / Who present, past, and future sees;

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The Golden Net

Three Virgins at the break of day: / `Whither, young man, whither away

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A Song

Sweet dreams, form a shade / O'er my lovely infant's head!

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