The Chimney Sweep
A little black thing among the snow,
Crying ``'weep! 'weep!'' in notes of woe!
``Where are thy father & mother? say?''
``They are both gone up to the church to pray.
``Because I was happy upon the heath,
And smil'd among the winter's snow,
They clothed me in the clothes of death,
And taught me to sing the notes of woe.
``And because I am happy & dance & sing,
They think they have done me no injury,
And are gone to praise God & his Priest & King,
Who make up a heaven of our misery.''
- William Blake