Read the poem.

A Poison Tree
by William Blake

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 watered it in fears
Night and morning with my tears,
And I sunned 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 veiled the pole;
In the morning, glad, I see
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

Question 1
Part A

What can be inferred about the speaker's different treatment of his friend and his foe?


The speaker solves problems with those he feels unkindly toward.

The speaker is able to solve problems with people he feels kindly toward.

The speaker treats his friends and enemies equally unacceptably.

The speaker treats his friends worse than he treats his enemies.
Question 2
Part B

Which lines from the poem best support the answer in Part A?


"In the morning, glad, I see / My foe outstretched beneath the tree.”

"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,—"

"I was angry with my friend: / I told my wrath, my wrath did end."