poetry texts, poem archive at plagiarist.com

Read more poems by John Keats: John Keats Poems at Poetry X.

If by dull rhymes our English must be chain'd,
    And, like Andromeda, the Sonnet sweet
Fetter'd, in spite of pained loveliness;
Let us find out, if we must be constrain'd,
    Sandals more interwoven and complete
To fit the naked foot of poesy;
Let us inspect the lyre, and weigh the stress
Of every chord, and see what may be gain'd
    By ear industrious, and attention meet:
Misers of sound and syllable, no less
    Than Midas of his coinage, let us be
    Jealous of dead leaves in the bay wreath crown;
So, if we may not let the Muse be free,
    She will be bound with garlands of her own.

Added: 15 Sep 2001 | Last Read: 3 Sep 2026 10:31 AM | Viewed: 7735 times

A PoetryNotes™ Analysis of If By Dull Rhymes Our English Must Be Chain'd by John Keats, is Available!

A PoetryNotes™ eBook is available for this poem for delivery within 24 hours, and usually available within minutes during normal business hours.

ON SALE - only $29.95 19.95!

For more information...