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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ON FIRST LOOKING INTO CHAPMAN'S HOMER by JOHN KEATS

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: MUCH HAVE I TRAVELED IN THE REALMS OF GOLD
Last Line: SILENT, UPON A PEAK IN DARIEN.
Subject(s): BOOKS; CHAPMAN, GEORGE (1559-1634); HOMER (10TH CENTURY B.C.); POETRY & POETS; THOUGHT; TRANSLATING & INTERPRETING; READING; ILIAD; ODYSSEY; THINKING;

Much have I travelled in the realms of gold,
And many goodly states and kingdoms seen;
Round many western islands have I been
Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold.
Oft of one wide expanse had I been told
That deep-browed Homer ruled as his demesne;
Yet did I never breathe its pure serene
Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold:
Then felt I like some watcher of the skies
When a new planet swims into his ken;
Or like stout Cortez, when with eagle eyes
He stared at the Pacific -- and all his men
Looked at each other with a wild surmise --
Silent, upon a peak in Darien.



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