Clod and Pebble

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The Clod And The Pebble

“Love seeketh not itself to please,

Personification – Love, makes it realistic

Nor for itself hath any care,

But for another gives its ease,

Imparts maternal and sacrificial qualities to love

And builds a Heaven in Hell’s despair.”

Biblical Allusion – Refers to not only ideals of heaven and hell but also perfect love as portrayed in the Bible, very relevant to the Romantic Age. An interesting point to note is how the “H” is capital in both the words.

So sung a little clod of clay,

Symbolism – joy;Plosive sounds

Trodden with the cattle’s feet;

Qualties Imparted – Malleable and Pliable

But a pebble of the brook

The Clod and The Pebble is a part of Blake’s poem collection “Songs of Innocence and Experience.” The clod here symbolises innocence whereas the pebble symbolises experience. It has weathered down, has faced harsh circumstances and thus is the symbol of experience.

Warbled out these meters meet:

Symbolism – sorrow ;Warbling is very similar to yodelling and the pebbles warble is a stark contrast from the clod’s innocent singing.

“Love seeketh only Self to please,

Qualities Imparted – Selfish

To bind another to its delight,

Qualities Imparted – Forceful, Imposing

Joys in another’s loss of ease,

And builds a hell in heaven’s despite.”

Symbolism – sorrow; Biblical allusion