If you trap the moment before it's ripe,
The tears of repentance you'll certainly wipe;
But if once you let the ripe moment go
You can never wipe off the tears of woe.

More information about this quote

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Blake, William. "If You Trap the Moment." William Blake's Notebook. c. 1792.

Current Citation

Blake, William. "If You Trap the Moment Before It's Ripe." Blake: Poems. Edited by Peter Washington. Everyman's Library, 1994.