Jim: Paris, 3 de Julho de 1971

PLATE 14

  The ancient tradition that the world will be consumed in fire at the
end of six thousand years is true. as I have heard from Hell.
 For the cherub with his flaming sword is hereby commanded to
leave his guard at the tree of life, and when he does, the whole crea-
tion will be consumed, and appear infinite. and holy whereas it now
appears finite & corrupt.
 This will come to pass by an improvement of sensual enjoyment.
 But first the notion that man has a body distinct from his soul, is to
be expunged; this I shall do, by printing in the infernal method, by
corrosives, which in Hell are salutary and medicinal, melting apparent
surfaces away, and displaying the infinite which was hid.
 If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear
to man as it is: infinite.
 For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro' narrow
chinks of his cavern.

William Blake, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell (1790-1792?)