CHAPTER VII

Blake's Rational Cosmology:

Order

The giving of order to the first universe is slightly more complex than the giving of its other cosmological components. To give order, there must first be disorder. Disorder occurs when the single conscious­ness of Albion falls into component energies, and is symbolized by the 'death', or sleep of Albion in the infinite. By contrast, order is symbolized by Urizen's usurpation of finite power and by his subsequent construction of a Pythagorean universe.

Albion has "refus'd to look upon the Universal Vision" (K. I. 274) and is fallen. He exists with his "Eternal Individuality/Upon The Rock of Ages" (K. I. 467-468). In other words, his "Individuality" remains in the infinite while his "Exudation" (K. I. 463), through Divine mercy. becomes the finite. To those in Beulah, who "saw not yet the Hand Divine" (K. I. 230), the state of Albion is one of eternal death beyond their powers of regeneration. Consequently, messengers are sent to the "Council of God" for help (K. I. 469). Albion is 'dying' at the "edge of Beulah" CK. I. 465) and his component energies have 'awakened' to a life/death cycle hitherto inconceivable to those in Beulah:

This was the Lamentation of Enion round the golden

Feast.

Eternity groan'd and was troubled at the image of

Eternal Death

Without the body of Man, an Exudation from his sick'ning

1imbs.

Now Man was come to the Palm tree & to the Oak of Weeping

465 Which stand upon the edge of Beulah & sunk down

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