Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LIFE-MASK OF KEATS, by LOUISE CHANDLER MOULTON


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THE LIFE-MASK OF KEATS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Poet to poet gave this mask, of him
Last Line: And with his spirit's gaze saw and was glad.
Alternate Author Name(s): Chandler, Ellen Louise
Subject(s): Keats, John (1795-1821); Poetry & Poets


POET to poet gave this mask, of him
Who sang the song of Rapture and Despair;
Who to the Nightingale was kin; aware
Of all the Night's enamouring -- the dim
Strange ecstasy of light at the moon's rim;
The unheard melodies that subtly snare
The listening soul -- Pan's wayward pipes that dare
To conjure shapes now beautiful, now grim.

He who this life-mask prized so tenderly
Might not behold the semblance that it wore,
The charm ineffable -- now sweet, now sad:
But well he knew what loveliness must be
Upon the face of Keats for evermore,
And with his spirit's gaze saw and was glad.






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