March 23, 2013, 16:04
GeoffThe invisible worm that flies in the night
The above is a phrase from Blake's "The Sick Rose." According to a source I recently read, in Blake's time "worm" meant "dragon," or other critter, not just food for robins and moles. Might Blake have been using "worm" metaphorically?
March 23, 2013, 21:07
KallehNot sure. I just looked up "worm" in the OED, and in the 1700s one definition was "devil." What is the context?
March 25, 2013, 02:43
arnieIn OE
wurm or
wyrm meant "serpent, dragon". According to
The Online Etymology Dictionary quote:
The ancient category of these was much more extensive than the modern, scientific, one and included serpents, scorpions, maggots, and the supposed causes of certain diseases.
March 25, 2013, 18:24
GeoffSo this piece is an allegory? It never quite made sense to me before.