32

In his drunken joy in the far distant Grove" (K. I. 92-93)--have been deleted, forthey occur before the passage concerning Beulah's closing of the gate of the tongue. With these lines deleted, the passage allows an interpretation in which Tharmas 'Turned round the circle of Destiny" (K. I. 74) and in the nine days and nights of her labour Enion translates this impulse into form. This provides a balance between the actions of Tharmas and Enion on the one hand and those of the daughters on the other.

After the gate of the tongue has been closed, late additions by Blake re-introduce the notion of communication in a considerably emended passage in which the Spectre is `born':

She drew the Spectre forth from Tharmas in [her silken del,]

her shining loom

Of Vegetation, weeping in wayward infancy & sullen youth.

Listening to her soft lamentations, soon his tongue began

125 To lisp out words & soon, in masculine strength augmenting. (K. I. 122-125)

As Tharmas^' finite form, the Spectre rapidly matures:

Reared up a form of gold & stood upon the glittering rock

A shadowy human form winged, & in his depths

The dazzlings as of gems shone clear; rapturous in [joy del.]

fury,

Glorying in his own eyes. Exalted in terrific Pride.

130                   [Searching for glory, wishing that the heavens had eyes to see

131                   And courting that the Earth would ope her Eyelids & behold

132                   Such wondrous beauty, repining in the midst of all his glory

133                   That nought but Enion could be found to praise, adore, & love. CK. I. 126-133)

The imagery of the lines reflects a satanic moral perspective. The pride of Milton's Satan--"Exalted in terrific Pride"--is indicated, and the symbols of "gems," "gold" and "glittering rock" reinforce the fallen state of the Spectre's "human form winged." The Spectre does not know his being derives from Divine Energy as he takes shape and his primal energies search for Enion to engender the natural cycle.