'On Anothers Sorrow' by William Blake
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Can I see anothers woe,
And not be in sorrow too?
Can I see anothers grief,
And not seek for kind relief.
Can I see a falling tear.
And not feel my sorrows share,
Can a father see his child,
Weep, nor be with sorrow fill'd.
Can a mother sit and hear.
An infant groan an infant fear--
No no never can it be,
Never never can it be.
And can he who smiles on all
Hear the wren with sorrows small.
Hear the small bird's grief & care
Hear the woes that infants bear--
And not sit beside the nest
Pouring pity in their breast.
And not sit the cradle near
Weeping tear on infant's tear.
And not sit both night & day.
Wiping all our tears away.
O! no never can it be.
Never never can it be.
He doth give his joy to all,
He becomes an infant small,
He becomes a man of woe
He doth feel the sorrow too.
Think not. thou canst sigh a sigh,
And thy maker is not by.
Think not, thou canst weep a tear,
And thy maker is not near.
O! he gives to us his joy.
That our grief he may destroy
Till our grief is fled & gone
He doth sit by us and moan
Editor 1 Interpretation
On Another's Sorrow by William Blake
On Another's Sorrow is a poem written by William Blake, one of the most distinguished poets of the Romantic Era. This poem is an excellent example of Blake's style and voice as a poet, as well as his ability to convey complex emotions in a simple manner.
The Poem
The poem consists of six stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which gives it a steady rhythm and a sense of stability. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, which is one of empathy and compassion for those who are suffering:
Can I see another's woe,
And not be in sorrow too?
Can I see another's grief,
And not seek for kind relief?
The second stanza explores the idea that we are all connected as human beings, and that the suffering of one person affects us all:
Can I see a falling tear,
And not feel my sorrow's share?
Can a father see his child
Weep, nor be with sorrow filled?
The third stanza is a call to action, urging the reader to offer comfort and support to those who are suffering:
Can a mother sit and hear
An infant groan, an infant fear?
No, no! never can it be!
Never, never can it be!
The fourth stanza emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in alleviating the pain of others:
And can he who smiles on all
Hear the wren with sorrows small,
Hear the small bird's grief and care,
Hear the woes that infants bear—
The fifth stanza acknowledges that suffering is a part of life, but that we can help to ease the burden of others:
And not sit beside the nest,
Pouring pity in their breast;
And not sit the cradle near,
Weeping tear on infant's tear;
The final stanza offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that our acts of kindness and compassion can have a ripple effect, spreading goodness throughout the world:
And not sit both night and day,
Wiping all our tears away,
Wiping no more tears away?
Oh no! never can it be!
Interpretation
On Another's Sorrow is a poem that is full of compassion and empathy for those who are suffering. Blake's use of rhetorical questions throughout the poem serves to engage the reader and encourage them to consider their own capacity for empathy and kindness. The poem is not simply a call to action to help others; it is a reminder that our own suffering is intimately connected to the suffering of those around us.
The first stanza asks if we can witness the pain of others without feeling sorrow ourselves. This is a powerful opening, as it immediately places the reader in a position of empathy. The second stanza reinforces this idea by suggesting that we all share in the pain of others, whether we realize it or not. The image of a father witnessing his child's tears is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the universal experience of parenthood and the deep emotional bond between parent and child.
The third stanza is a call to action, urging the reader to offer comfort and support to those who are suffering. The use of repetition in the stanza ("No, no! never can it be!/Never, never can it be!") reinforces the urgency of the message, and suggests that ignoring the suffering of others is simply not an option.
The fourth stanza explores the idea of empathy and understanding, and suggests that even the smallest creatures have their own grief and care. This stanza serves as a reminder that suffering is not limited to humans alone, and that our capacity for empathy should extend to all living beings.
The fifth stanza acknowledges that suffering is a part of life, but suggests that we can help to ease the burden of others through our acts of kindness and compassion. The image of sitting beside a nest and pouring pity into the breasts of birds is a powerful reminder of our interconnectedness with the natural world.
The final stanza offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that our acts of kindness and compassion can have a ripple effect, spreading goodness throughout the world. The image of wiping away tears both night and day is a powerful reminder that our capacity for empathy and compassion should never be limited by time or circumstance.
Conclusion
On Another's Sorrow is a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and kindness in a world that can often be cruel and indifferent. Blake's use of rhetorical questions throughout the poem serves to engage the reader and encourage them to consider their own capacity for empathy and kindness. The poem is a call to action to help others, but it is also a reminder that our own suffering is intimately connected to the suffering of those around us. Ultimately, the poem offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that our acts of kindness and compassion can have a ripple effect, spreading goodness throughout the world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
On Another's Sorrow: A Poem of Empathy and Compassion
William Blake, the renowned English poet, artist, and visionary, is known for his profound and mystical works that explore the complexities of human nature, spirituality, and society. One of his most poignant and touching poems is "On Another's Sorrow," a short but powerful piece that speaks to the universal human experience of suffering and the transformative power of empathy and compassion.
The poem begins with a simple yet profound statement: "Can I see another's woe, and not be in sorrow too?" This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the nature of empathy and the interconnectedness of all beings. Blake suggests that it is impossible to witness the pain and suffering of another person without feeling a sense of shared sorrow and compassion. This idea is central to many spiritual and philosophical traditions, which emphasize the importance of empathy and compassion as essential qualities for human flourishing and social harmony.
The second stanza of the poem expands on this theme, describing the transformative power of empathy and compassion. Blake writes, "Can I see another's grief, and not seek for kind relief?" Here, he suggests that when we witness the suffering of others, we are compelled to act with kindness and compassion, to offer comfort and support. This is not only a moral imperative but also a source of personal growth and transformation. By reaching out to others in their time of need, we become more fully human, more connected to the world around us, and more capable of experiencing joy and fulfillment.
The third stanza of the poem takes a more mystical turn, exploring the idea that our capacity for empathy and compassion is rooted in our spiritual nature. Blake writes, "Can I see a falling tear, and not feel my sorrow's share?" Here, he suggests that our ability to feel the pain of others is not simply a matter of empathy or sympathy but is rather a reflection of our deeper spiritual connection to all beings. This idea is consistent with Blake's broader mystical vision, which emphasizes the unity of all things and the interconnectedness of the material and spiritual worlds.
The final stanza of the poem brings these themes together in a powerful and moving conclusion. Blake writes, "O! no never can it be! / Never, never can it be!" Here, he suggests that the idea of witnessing the suffering of others without feeling a sense of shared sorrow and compassion is not only impossible but also deeply troubling. To be indifferent to the pain of others is to deny our own humanity, to cut ourselves off from the world around us, and to live in a state of spiritual poverty. By contrast, to embrace empathy and compassion is to open ourselves up to the fullness of life, to experience the joys and sorrows of others as our own, and to participate in the great mystery of existence.
In conclusion, "On Another's Sorrow" is a beautiful and profound poem that speaks to the universal human experience of suffering and the transformative power of empathy and compassion. Through its simple yet powerful language, Blake reminds us of the importance of reaching out to others in their time of need, of recognizing our shared humanity, and of embracing the mystery and wonder of existence. In a world that often seems divided and disconnected, this message is more important than ever, reminding us of the deep and abiding connections that bind us all together.
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