In William Blake's "The Clod and the Pebble," the Clod of Clay and the Pebble have opposing views of love. The Clod sees love from an optimist's view while the Pebble sees love from a pessimist's point of view.
             The Clod of Clay sings his verse about love; "So sung the Clod of Clay" (347). This gives a sense of jubilation. The idea of song is associated with happiness and glee. This gives the impression that the Clod is happy and that the things of which he is singing are also happy.
             The Clod of Clay is also described as "Trodden with the cattle's feet" (347). The Clod has been stepped on, though he does not seem to mind. The Clod is very optimistic. He knows that his purpose is to be stepped on. He doesn't resent his place in the world. He can see past his purpose and find meaning in his life beyond his job.
             The Clod's song about love says love is a wonderful and beautiful thing. He says "Love seeketh not itself to please, Nor for itself hath any care" (347). The Clod is saying love is selfless. When a person is in love, he or she desires only to make his partner happy. A person in love wants only the things that his partner desires. The Clod sings, "But for another gives its ease" (347). This means someone in love is willing and does give up his simple life of being alone and dealing only with his own needs to share his life with the one he loves.
             When the Clod says "And builds a Heaven in Hell's despair" (347) he means that love can overcome anything. Love, in the midst of pain and suffering, can build a grand palace of happiness and hope.
             The Pebble in the brook has a totally different opinion of love. He sees love in the opposite way the Clod sees love.
             The pebble warbles his verse about love, "But a Pebble in the brook Warbled out these metres met" (347). This means, in general, to sing, bu
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