The Garden of Love, William Blake

The Garden of Love

I went to the Garden of Love, 

And saw what I never had seen: 

A Chapel was built in the midst, 

Where I used to play on the green. 

And the gates of this Chapel were shut, 

And Thou shalt not. writ over the door; 

So I turn'd to the Garden of Love, 

That so many sweet flowers bore. 

And I saw it was filled with graves, 

And tomb-stones where flowers should be: 

And Priests in black gowns, were walking their rounds, 

And binding with briars, my joys and desires.

William Blake

Clary, "Clear-Eye" (Salvia sclarea)

"An aromatic and medicinal plant common in barren locations".

Allen Ginsberg sings William Blake's Garden of Love, Animation by Erdman, YouTube