We cannot be sure that Blake knew Thomas Taylor personally, but we can be sure that he knew by reputation the then famous translator. Even a cursory examination, moreover, of the works of the two writers will show that Blake undoubtedly was thoroughly indoctrinated in the dogmas of Taylor's writings. The great difference in symbolism and philosophical content between Blake's early poetry and the Prophetic Books may be attributed in no small degree to Taylor's translations and his interpretations of Neo-Platonic doctrines. One of the most interesting of these to both Blake and Taylor was the concept of time and eternity.