The Shepherd (poem)

[5] This repetition may also be read as a subtle irony about the Shepherd's lack of agency as he follows his herd rather than leading them through the fields.

[4] In the first stanza, The Shepherd is full of joy which mirrors the innocent nature of this collection of poems.

[5] Readers from Blake's time would have found it odd that The Shepherd was following his herd.

[7] The Shepherd's relationship to his flock is further explored in the final lines of the poem.

The image of The Shepherd as Christ is initially found in another Song, "The Little Black Boy".

[6] In this poem, the Shepherd can be viewed as the spiritual guide or a savior of the herd, rejoicing in their numbers.

[5] The Shepherd in the illustration is standing underneath a vine-wrapped tree surrounded by his herd of sheep.

Copy B of William Blake's hand-painted print of "The Shepherd". This copy, printed and painted in 1789, is currently held by the Library of Congress . [ 1 ]
A recording of "The Shepherd"