A Poison Tree

I was angry with my friend:

 I told my wrath, my wrath did end.

I was angry with my foe:

I told it not, my wrath did grow

.

And I water'd it in fears,

Night & morning with my tears;

And I summoned it with smiles,

And with soft deceitful wiles.

 

And it grew both day and night,

Till it bore an apple bright;

And my foe beheld it shine,

And he knew that it was mine

,

And into my garden stole

When the night had veil'd the pole:

 In the morning glad I see

My foe outstretch'd beneath the tree

.

William Blake (1757-1827)