The Sick Rose - William Blake
/The Sick Rose - William Blake/
A Symbolic Reflection on Hidden Decay
Original (Line 1): O Rose thou art sick.
English (Line 1): O Rose, you are sick.
Original (Line 2): The invisible worm,
English (Line 2): The invisible worm,
Original (Line 3): That flies in the night
English (Line 3): That flies in the night
Original (Line 4): In the howling storm:
English (Line 4): Amid the howling storm,
Original (Line 5): Has found out thy bed
English (Line 5): Has found out your bed
Original (Line 6): Of crimson joy:
English (Line 6): Of crimson joy,
Original (Line 7): And his dark secret love
English (Line 7): And his dark secret love
Original (Line 8): Does thy life destroy.
English (Line 8): Destroys your life.
From William Blake’s The Sick Rose (1794), part of Songs of Experience. This poem is in the public domain.
William Blake’s “The Sick Rose” is a brief yet potent poem that delves into themes of secrecy, corruption, and the delicate nature of beauty. The rose appears as a symbol of love, vitality, or innocence, but an “invisible worm” enters under cover of darkness, bringing destruction. This short poem, first appearing in Blake’s *Songs of Experience* (1794), contrasts starkly with the hopeful innocence expressed in his *Songs of Innocence*.
Its brevity underscores its power: in just eight lines, Blake raises questions about the sinister forces that lurk beneath the surface of seemingly pure or joyful things. The “invisible worm” can represent temptation, betrayal, or hidden desires—anything that erodes well-being from within. By using pastoral imagery such as a rose in a “bed of crimson joy,” Blake evokes a sense of intimacy or passion, which is simultaneously threatened by this unseen corruption.
In broader terms, “The Sick Rose” challenges readers to reflect on the fragility of love and life, suggesting that external appearance—no matter how vibrant—may conceal lurking dangers. By framing the decay as a secretive process, Blake intimates that what truly undermines us is not always visible or acknowledged, inviting contemplation on how unspoken fears and secret sins can unravel even the most cherished bonds.
Key points
1. The rose symbolizes beauty and innocence threatened by hidden decay.
2. The “invisible worm” represents destructive forces that work in secrecy.
3. Blake contrasts outward vibrancy with inner corruption, reflecting human vulnerability.
4. In its brevity, the poem highlights how fragile and easily undone the bonds of love can be.
