To-the-evening-star

To the Evening Star
By William Blake
Thou fair-haired angel of the evening,
Now, whilst the sun rests on the mountains, light
Thy bright torch of love; thy radiant crown
Put on, and smile upon our evening bed!
Smile on our loves, and while thou drawest the
Blue curtains of the sky, scatter thy silver dew
On every flower that shuts its sweet eyes
In timely sleep. Let thy west wing sleep on
The lake; speak silence with thy glimmering eyes,
And wash the dusk with silver. Soon, full soon,
Dost thou withdraw; then the wolf rages wide,
And the lion glares through the dun forest.
The fleeces of our flocks are covered with
Thy sacred dew; protect with them with thine influence.
"To the Evening Star" is a poem penned by William Blake, a renowned English poet, painter, and printmaker of the
Romantic Age. Blake is celebrated for his visionary poetry that often explores themes of spirituality, mysticism, and the
human condition. "To the Evening Star" is a sonnet that reflects Blake's fascination with nature and the celestial realm.
In this poem, Blake addresses the evening star, often referred to as Venus, which appears in the sky during the twilight
hours. The evening star, with its ethereal beauty and symbolic significance, becomes the focal point of Blake's
contemplation. Through the imagery of the evening star, Blake explores themes of transience, longing, and the ineffable
mysteries of the universe.
The poem captures the poet's admiration and reverence for the evening star, as well as his profound sense of awe and
wonder at the natural world. Through rich and evocative language, Blake invites readers to join him in contemplating the
beauty and significance of the evening star, while also pondering the deeper existential questions it evokes.
Overall, "To the Evening Star" showcases Blake's poetic mastery and his ability to weave together themes of nature,
spirituality, and human experience into a captivating and thought-provoking work of art.
1st Stanza
Blake addresses the evening star with reverence, describing it as a beautiful angel with fair hair. This imagery sets the
tone for the poem, emphasizing the star's ethereal and celestial qualities. The choice of "angel" suggests a divine or
spiritual presence, elevating the significance of the evening star in the natural world.
2nd Stanza
Blake describes the setting sun resting on the mountains, signaling the transition from day to night. He implores the
evening star to shine its "bright torch of love" and don its "radiant crown" as it appears in the sky. This imagery evokes a
sense of warmth and comfort, as if the star's light brings solace and blessing to the world as it prepares for rest. The
reference to "our evening bed" suggests a universal experience, inviting readers to share in the tranquil beauty of the
evening scene.
3rd Stanza
Blake continues to address the evening star, entreating it to bless and watch over the world below. He asks the star to
"smile on our loves," symbolizing its role in fostering and nurturing affection among humanity. The imagery of the star
drawing "the blue curtains of the sky" suggests the gradual onset of nightfall, while its "silver dew" and "west wind"
create a peaceful atmosphere conducive to sleep and tranquility. Blake personifies the evening star, endowing it with
the ability to communicate through its "glimmering eyes" and to imbue the evening with a sense of purity and serenity.
4th stanza
Blake extends the star's influence to every aspect of nature, adorning "every thorn" and "leafless tree" with the colors of
the evening sky. He refers to the evening star as a "goddess," highlighting its divine and transcendent nature. Despite
the multitude of stars that fill the sky at night, Blake suggests that the evening star will hold a special place, lingering
longer than the others as a testament to its unique beauty and significance.
"Hey, lovely angel of the evening," Blake starts by calling the evening star a beautiful angel. He's admiring its beauty and
importance.
"Now, while the sun is setting behind the mountains, shine your bright light of love. Put on your shining crown and smile
down on us as we go to bed!" Blake asks the evening star to shine brightly as the sun sets. He wants it to bring warmth
and comfort to everyone as they prepare for sleep.
"Smile on our relationships, and as you cover the sky with blue curtains, spread your silver dew on every flower that's
closing its petals for the night. Let the gentle wind rest on the lake, make everything quiet with your sparkling light, and
make the evening peaceful." Blake wants the evening star to bless people's relationships. He asks it to make the evening
calm and serene, with its gentle breeze and sparkling light.
"Paint every thorn and leafless tree with colors from the sky, and when night falls, dear goddess, let one special star stay
longer than the others, just because you feel like it." Blake imagines the evening star coloring everything in nature with
the hues of the evening sky. He believes that even though there are many stars, the evening star will shine longer,
showing its special beauty.
In summary, Blake's poem praises the evening star's beauty and asks it to bring peace and love to the world as night
falls.

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To the Evening Star

Thou fair-haired angel of the evening,

Now, whilst the sun rests on the mountains, light

Thy bright torch of love; thy radiant crown

Put on, and smile upon our evening bed!

Smile on our loves, and while thou drawest the

Blue curtains of the sky, scatter thy silver dew

On every flower that shuts its sweet eyes

In timely sleep. Let thy west wing sleep on

The lake; speak silence with thy glimmering eyes,

And wash the dusk with silver. Soon, full soon,

Dost thou withdraw; then the wolf rages wide,

And the lion glares through the dun forest.

The fleeces of our flocks are covered with

Thy sacred dew; protect with them with thine influence.

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