Comparison of the Two Versions of the Last Stanza in London By William Blake

London, by William Blake, was written in 1794. This poem describes how people within a society react, or don't react, when they are subjected to unethical and immoral socially accepted norms. William Blake wrote an earlier version of the last stanza in London, which he later adjusted. The second version is more effective, and dramatic for the reader.

The first change Blake made was to "midnight harlot's curse." He changed this to "midnight streets" (13). The first version, "midnight harlot's curse", pertains more to the evil that results from a harlot's curse. Their disease of syphilis, or "curse", blinds their baby, or the baby that results from their customer and his lawful wife. By changing this verse to "midnight streets," Blake implies that the evil of the harlot's curse is everywhere he turns. The curse is not just with the harlot but also with those whom make contact with the harlot, whom will pass it on to others. This is a vicious cycle that the speaker is "seeing" all around him on London's streets.

Next, Blake changed "harlot" to "youthful harlot" (14). A harlot is a prostitute. By just using the term "harlot" we infer that the prostitute is older, perhaps twenty. In the 18th Century, it was `normal' for prostitutes to begin `working' as early as age 12. By changing the verse to "youthful harlot" there is a dramatic shock that is not present in the lone term "harlot."

Finally, Blake reverses "marriage hearse" (16) and "infants tear" (15) in his second version of London. "Blasts the new-born Infant's tear" (15) refers to a baby born to a "youthful harlot" (14) is born blind due to syphilis. "Marriage hearse" refers to a marriage or union that is plagued with a disease that kills, syphilis. By ending the poem with this language makes the poem dramatic.