THE TYGER
By William Blake

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare sieze the fire?

And what shoulder, and what art
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? and what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears,
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

THE TIGER’S BANE

A Tiger, walking through the forest at daybreak, found himself entwined within the net of a Hunter. He wailed and he wailed, but could not free himself from the trap. “Oh, what good will weeping do me now?” he said. It was then that he broke through the net, and ran off into the forest. He was soon reunited with his friends and family, happy once more, while the Hunter returned to a broken net and roared in anger.

Mourning for the trouble which you are in will not aid in solving said trouble.
_________________________________________________

THE HARMONIC WARRIOR

A Soldier, preparing for an upcoming battle, recalled the incident in which his wife and child were killed by the foes in which he was about to face. He noticed a Warrior preparing, whose father was slain at the hands of the enemies’ general. However, the Warrior looked calm and peaceful, with a smile across his face. “Do you not seek revenge against these men?” the Soldier asked. “Why yes, I do,” the Warrior replied. “However, they were raised to be cruel and sadistic, so I forgive the general for killing my father.” Soon after, the battle commenced, and the Soldier was quickly killed by the man who killed his wife and child. On the other hand, the Warrior reached the general, and smiled, focusing all his energy on striking true and gracefully. He quickly slew the general, causing the enemies to retreat and his army to be victorious.

Forgive your enemies in order to destroy them.
_________________________________________________

THE BRAGGART AND THE CHAMPION

A Champion, preparing for an upcoming bout in the arena, decided to wish luck to his opponent. When he arrived, he found the challenger dressed in a golden suit of armor and wielding a silver jewel-encrusted sword. “Haha! You wear such ugly garments, while mine shine like the sun.” the challenger mocked. “That may be so,” the Champion replied. “but your suit looks frail and weak, while mine is made from the strongest metals in the earth.” At the start of the match, the challenger charged the Champion, and quickly slashed his sword. The beautiful sword bounced off of the Champion’s armor, rattling like sound waves. Then the Champion swung his behemoth sword at the challenger, quickly shattering his armor and severing his arm. The Champion was declared victorious.

Beauty often weakens strength in its attempt to become greater.

THE END, EVERMORE
By Rayleigh

At midnight, on the night of doom
The clouds seemed all too gloom.
As I walked my perilous path, pondering
As to why I continued wandering,
I saw a tree, all the more free
And thought of the shining sea.

During my rather strange wondering
Of my own unfortunate blundering
Of not accepting the chance
To sail to the shores of France,
To see my dear, and escape from the drear—
This was wrongly queer.

At the awaited hour’s end,
I wanted to quickly send
An apology to my lost heart,
But I made the choice not so smart:
This I would, I would stay were I stood
And leave as I should.

While the dawn arrived at my home,
I knew my soul did not roam,
Roam the heavens above
Evermore would I be with my love.
As I went to France in a benevolent trance,
I took my only chance.

I had found my angelic wings,
(The kind for which a songbird sings)
I found my beautiful Anna,
My dear little Susannah,
Within this place, filled with grace
And my heart began to race.

Forever we lived happily on,
Growing healthy whereupon,
Though as I remain alive,
As I watch my body thrive,
My happiness so abstract, in fact
Cannot remain intact.