by Keats · Cluster: Appearance vs Reality · Beauty · Eyes and Sight
Abstract
A sonnet weighing the bay wreath against natural beauties and finally bowing to the ladies’ sovereign eyes; poetic glory, beauty and gallant compliment.
Connections
Motifs: Crown, Rose, Moon, Seasons Themes & Concepts: Beauty, Romantic Love Forms & Genres: Sonnet
Testo integrale / Full text
What is there in the universal Earth
More lovely than a Wreath from the bay tree?
Haply a Halo round the Moon - a glee
Circling from three sweet pair of lips in mirth;
And haply you will say the dewy birth
Of morning roses - riplings tenderly
Spread by the Halcyon’s breast upon the sea -
But these comparisons are nothing worth -
Then is there nothing in the world so fair?
The silvery tears of April? - Youth of May? 10
Or June that breaths out life for butterflies?
No - none of these can from my favourite bear
Away the Palm - yet shall it ever pay
Due reverence to your most sovereign eyes.