William Blake’s “Earth’s Answer” gives voice to the planet itself, a figure draped in dread and grey despair. She speaks from a prison—a cold, stony den on a “watery shore”—where she is held captive by a cruel, jealous father of men. Her words are soaked in sorrow but also sharp with accusation. She sees herself bound by a selfish force that freezes joy and locks love in chains. The mood is oppressive and heavy, like a weight of eternal winter, yet beneath the grief there is a tremor of defiance. She cannot fathom how spring, sowing, or ploughing can go on in such darkness. Her final cry demands the shattering of the chain that chills her bones—a bondage she calls the “bane” that ties free love to a frozen, loveless order.
Earth's Answer — Summary
Earth raised up her head From the darkness dread and drear, Her light fled, Stony, dread, And her locks covered with grey despair.
"Prisoned on watery shore, Starry jealousy does keep my den Cold and hoar; Weeping o'er, I hear the father of the ancient men.
"Selfish father of men! Cruel, jealous, selfish fear! Can delight, Chained in night, The virgins of youth and morning bear?
"Does spring hide its joy, When buds and blossoms grow? Does the sower Sow by night, Or the plowman in darkness plough?
"Break this heavy chain, That does freeze my bones around! Selfish, vain, Eternal bane, That free love with bondage bound."