William Blake’s illuminated mythology in America: A Prophecy
Orc in America: A Prophecy
The Preludium introduces Orc as a chained youth attended by the unnamed shadowy daughter of Urthona. His speech moves through eagle, lion, whale and serpent forms before he breaks free. The encounter that follows is violent and coercive, preventing a simple reading of his energy as harmless goodness. In the Prophecy, an intense human fire appears across the Atlantic; Albion’s Angel names it Orc and accuses it of rebellion against divine law. Orc answers by rejecting the stony law and Urizen’s commands. The poem associates his emergence with opened graves, released captives and the end of empire, yet its fire remains a frightening force that transforms as well as destroys.
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In the sources
A chained and changing body
DocumentedThe Preludium names Orc, describes his bonds and gives his own account of animal transformations. His subsequent freedom leads into a disturbing encounter with the female figure.
Accusation and answer
DocumentedAlbion’s Angel calls the apparition Orc and condemns its rebellion. Orc answers in the first person, rejecting the stony law and the commandments associated with Urizen.
Context & interpretation
This entry follows Orc within America, not his complete role across Blake’s writings. Revolutionary energy is an interpretation of this poem’s language and action, not a claim that Blake’s figure represents a real spirit or that every destructive act is endorsed.
Original passages
Source 1
America: A Prophecy
The shadowy daughter of Urthona stood before red Orc.Open this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: William Blake, America: A Prophecy, Preludium, first leaf; source scan leaf 11 (unpaginated illuminated text)
Actual full scanned leaf inspected and text read within the complete available Preludium/Prophecy sequence. Reproduced title bears1793; physical reproduction date not inferred. / marks a line break.
- Edition
- IMJ-0268-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0268-E001-P0005
- Original scan leaf
- 11
- Recorded leaf number
- 11
- Current Reader position
- 6
- Reader verification
- Matches the reviewed Reader
Source 2
America: A Prophecy
The hairy shoulders rend the linksOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: William Blake, America: A Prophecy, Preludium, second leaf; source scan leaf 13 (unpaginated illuminated text)
Actual full scanned leaf inspected and text read within the complete available Preludium/Prophecy sequence. Reproduced title bears1793; physical reproduction date not inferred. / marks a line break.
- Edition
- IMJ-0268-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0268-E001-P0006
- Original scan leaf
- 13
- Recorded leaf number
- 13
- Current Reader position
- 7
- Reader verification
- Matches the reviewed Reader
Source 3
America: A Prophecy
For Empire is no moreOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: William Blake, America: A Prophecy, Prophecy, leaf beginning The morning comes; source scan leaf 21 (unpaginated illuminated text)
Actual full scanned leaf inspected and text read within the complete available Preludium/Prophecy sequence. Reproduced title bears1793; physical reproduction date not inferred. / marks a line break.
- Edition
- IMJ-0268-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0268-E001-P0010
- Original scan leaf
- 21
- Recorded leaf number
- 21
- Current Reader position
- 11
- Reader verification
- Matches the reviewed Reader
Source 4
America: A Prophecy
Art thou not OrcOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: William Blake, America: A Prophecy, Prophecy, Albion’s Angel’s accusation; source scan leaf 23 (unpaginated illuminated text)
Actual full scanned leaf inspected and text read within the complete available Preludium/Prophecy sequence. Reproduced title bears1793; physical reproduction date not inferred. / marks a line break.
- Edition
- IMJ-0268-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0268-E001-P0011
- Original scan leaf
- 23
- Recorded leaf number
- 23
- Current Reader position
- 12
- Reader verification
- Matches the reviewed Reader
Source 5
America: A Prophecy
The terror answerd: I am OrcOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: William Blake, America: A Prophecy, Prophecy, Orc’s answer; source scan leaf 25 (unpaginated illuminated text)
Actual full scanned leaf inspected and text read within the complete available Preludium/Prophecy sequence. Reproduced title bears1793; physical reproduction date not inferred. / marks a line break.
- Edition
- IMJ-0268-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0268-E001-P0012
- Original scan leaf
- 25
- Recorded leaf number
- 25
- Current Reader position
- 13
- Reader verification
- Matches the reviewed Reader