William Blake
1757 - 1827. That most famous, visionary, naturally gifted and individual of English Poets was born on a house that stood on this site. A pioneer engraver and water-colourist he was also an innovative and industrious self-publisher. He was baptised at St.James's, Piccadilly.
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 black'ning Church appals;
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 infants' tear,
And blights with plagues the Marriage hearse.