A Dream

By Willaim Blake

William Blake (1757-1827) was an English poet, painter, and visionary, whose work combines profound spiritual themes with intense, often mystical imagery. Blake’s unique style blends poetry and visual art, making him a pioneer figure in Romantic literature and art. His work, though underappreciated in his lifetime, is now celebrated for its originality and depth. This poem by Blake was first published in his collection of poems “Songs of Innocence” in 1789. The speaker relates to the misery of the ant so much so that he is moved to tears by her plight. A glow-worm responds to the ant’s misery and shows her the way home. The basic idea of the poem is to portray a benevolent and compassionate natural world where help is always available for the weak and the needy.

Once a dream did weave a shade
O’er my angel-guarded bed,
That an emmet lost its way
Where on grass methought I lay.

Troubled, wildered, and forlorn,
Dark, benighted, travel-worn,
Over many a tangle spray,
All heart-broke, I heard her say:

‘Oh my children! do they cry,
Do they hear their father sigh?
Now they look abroad to see,
Now return and weep for me.’

Pitying, I dropped a tear:
But I saw a glow-worm near,
Who replied, ‘What wailing wight
Calls the watchman of the night?

‘I am set to light the ground,
While the beetle goes his round:
Follow now the beetle’s hum;
Little wanderer, hie thee home! ‘

First Stanza

In this stanza, Blake introduces a dream that casts a shadow over the speaker’s bed, which is guarded by angels, indicating a sense of protection and innocence. The dream features an emmet (an old term for an ant) that has lost its way. The setting is a grassy place where the speaker imagines themselves lying down. The dream’s imagery suggests a gentle, natural environment.

Second Stanza

The ant is described as troubled, confused, and lost (“forlorn”). It is also “dark, benighted, travel-worn,” implying a difficult journey through the darkness. The ant’s hardships are emphasized by the tangled spray (brambles or undergrowth) it must navigate. The speaker empathizes with the ant, feeling its heartache and hearing its sorrowful words.

Third Stanza

In this stanza, the ant laments for its children, wondering if they are crying and if they can hear their father’s sighs. The ant imagines its children searching for it and then weeping upon returning home without finding their father. This stanza underscores the ant’s deep sense of responsibility and care for its offspring, reflecting a universal theme of parental love and concern.

Fourth Stanza

The speaker feels pity for the ant and sheds a tear. At this moment, a glowworm appears, representing a source of light and hope in the darkness. The glow-worm, acting as a kind of watchman or guide in the night, responds to the ant’s cries. This suggests that even in the darkest times, there are sources of help and guidance.

Fifth Stanza

The glow-worm explains its role in lighting the ground at night while the beetle goes about its duties. It advises the ant to follow the sound of the beetle’s hum to find its way home. The glow-worm’s guidance indicates the presence of natural aids and signals that can help one navigate through life’s challenges.

Sixth Stanza

In the final stanza, the ant thanks the glow-worm and expresses relief at having found its way back home. The ant’s journey has come full circle, returning to where it initially got lost. The phrase “In the night I found the day” symbolizes finding clarity, hope, and direction even in the midst of darkness and confusion.