The Little Girl Lost

By William Blake

Narrative Poem
In futurity I prophetic 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 summer's 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 ache 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 gamboll'd round O'er the hallow'd ground. Leopards, tigers, 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.
Written: 1789-01-01

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Poem Details

Date Written: 1789-01-01
Date Published: 1789-01-01
Language: English
Keywords: Girl, Lost, Sleep, Desert, Beasts
Source: Songs of Innocence
Publisher: W. Blake
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
A narrative poem that tells the story of a little girl lost in the desert, who is protected by wild beasts, symbolizing innocence in harmony with nature.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.