The moon like a flower in heaven's high bower, with silent delight, sits and smiles on the night

The moon like a flower in heaven's high bower, with silent delight, sits and smiles on the night

William Blake, the renowned English poet and artist, was known for his visionary and mystical works that often explored themes of spirituality, nature, and the human experience. In his poem "Night," Blake beautifully captures the ethereal beauty of the moon with the line, "The moon like a flower in heaven's high bower, with silent delight, sits and smiles on the night."

This imagery of the moon as a flower in heaven's high bower is quintessentially Blakean in its blending of the natural world with the divine. Blake often saw the world as a reflection of the spiritual realm, and in this line, he suggests that the moon, like a flower, is a manifestation of the beauty and harmony of the celestial realm. The moon's silent delight and smile on the night evoke a sense of peace and serenity, as if the moon is a benevolent presence watching over the world with a sense of quiet joy.

The use of the word "bower" to describe the moon's heavenly abode adds a sense of intimacy and closeness to the image. A bower is a sheltered, leafy recess or arbor, often associated with love and tranquility. By placing the moon in a bower in heaven, Blake suggests that the moon is not just a distant celestial body, but a nurturing and protective presence that envelops the night in its gentle light.

The moon's smile on the night further emphasizes its benevolent and comforting nature. In many cultures, the moon is seen as a symbol of femininity, intuition, and emotional depth. By describing the moon as smiling on the night, Blake imbues it with a sense of warmth and compassion, as if it is a motherly figure watching over the world with love and care.

Overall, this line from Blake's poem "Night" captures the poet's unique blend of mysticism, nature, and spirituality. Through the image of the moon as a flower in heaven's high bower, Blake invites us to see the beauty and harmony of the natural world as a reflection of the divine, and to find solace and comfort in the silent delight of the night.