Robert Bridges, ed. (1844–1930). The Spirit of Man: An Anthology. 1916. | | | | The opening lines of Endymion |
John Keats (1795–1821) |
| | | A THING 1 of beauty is a joy for ever: | |
| Its loveliness increases; it will never | |
| Pass into nothingness; but still will keep | |
| A bower quiet for us, and a sleep | |
| Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing. | 5 |
| Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing | |
| A flowery band to bind us to the earth, | |
| Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth | |
| Of noble natures, of the gloomy days, | |
| Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darken’d ways | 10 |
| Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all, | |
| Some shape of beauty moves away the pall | |
| From our dark spirits … | |
|
|
|
