The Romantics: 'London' by William Blake

This worksheet is designed to develop your understanding of the Romantic poets. It is based on the poem 'London' (1794) by William Blake. Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow.

 

 

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London

 

I wander thro' each charter'd street,

Near where the charter'd Thames does flow. 

And mark in every face I meet

Marks of weakness, marks of woe.

 

In every cry of every Man,

In every Infant's cry of fear,

In every voice, in every ban,

The mind-forg'd manacles I hear: 

 

How the Chimney-sweeper's cry

Every blackning Church appalls, 

And the hapless Soldier's sigh

Runs in blood down Palace walls.

 

But most thro' midnight streets I hear

How the youthful Harlot's curse

Blasts the new-born Infant's tear 

And blights with plagues the Marriage hearse.

 

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