Ye Distant Spires

Title

Ye Distant Spires

Student Commentary:

This image is from the beginning of Blake’s illustrations to “Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College,” which is included in Thomas Gray’s Poems (1972 facsimile). It depicts the life of the young scholars at Eton (which Gray himself had attended) as idyllic and inspired. A figure likely representing Henry VI, founder of the college in 1440, floats nearby as a still-revered “holy shade” looking over them. The poem turns much darker as Gray reflects on how life experiences will change these happy youth.

Links:

Detailed View of Image at the William Blake Archive

About this Book

Source

William Blake@Union Digital Collection