Page:The complete poetical works and letters of John Keats, 1899.djvu/173

Rh And once more came they by;—alas! wherefore?

My sleep had been embroider'd with dim dreams;

My soul had been a lawn besprinkled o'er

With flowers, and stirring shades, and baffled beams:

The morn was clouded, but no shower fell,

Tho' in her lids hung the sweet tears of May;

The open casement press'd a new-leaved vine,

Let in the budding warmth and throstle's lay;

O Shadows! 't was a time to bid farewell!

Upon your skirts had fallen no tears of mine.

So, ye three Ghosts, adieu! Ye cannot raise

My head cool-bedded in the flowery grass;

For I would not be dieted with praise,

A pet-lamb in a sentimental farce!

Fade softly from my eyes and be once more

In masque-like figures on the dreamy urn;

Farewell! I yet have visions for the night,

And for the day faint visions there is store;

Vanish, ye Phantoms! from my idle spright,

Into the clouds, and nevermore return!

did I laugh to-night? No voice will tell;

No God, no Demon of severe response,

Deigns to reply from Heaven or from Hell:

Then to my human heart I turn at once.

Heart! Thou and I are here sad and alone;

I say, why did I laugh? O mortal pain!

O Darkness! Darkness! ever must I moan,

To question Heaven and Hell and Heart in vain.

Why did I laugh? I know this Being's lease,

My fancy to its utmost blisses spreads;

Yet would I on this very midnight cease,

And the world's gaudy ensigns see in shreds;

Verse, Fame, and Beauty are intense indeed,

But Death intenser—Death is Life's high meed.

Nature! let my spirit blood!

O ease my heart of verse and let me rest;

Throw me upon thy Tripod, till the flood

Of stifling numbers ebbs from my full breast.

A theme! a theme! great Nature! give a theme;

Let me begin my dream.

I come—I see thee, as thou standest there;

Beckon me not into the wintry air.