"Ode On Melancholy" by John Keats - with musical accompaniment by Yanni - "In the Morning Light"

Reading and interpretation of the lovely and insightful poem,
"Ode On Melancholy" by John Keats, who was a brilliant young
English poet who died at the tender age of 25
(born - 1795; died - 1821) Ode on Melancholy

No, no, go not to Lethe, neither twist Wolf's-bane, tight-rooted, for its poisonous wine;
Nor suffer thy pale forehead to be kiss'd By nightshade, ruby grape of Proserpine;
Make not your rosary of yew-berries, Nor let the beetle, nor the death-moth be Your mournful Psyche, nor the downy owl
A partner in your sorrow's mysteries; For shade to shade will come too drowsily, And drown the wakeful anguish of the soul.
But when the melancholy fit shall fall Sudden from heaven like a weeping cloud,
That fosters the droop-headed flowers all, And hides the green hill in an April shroud;
Then glut thy sorrow on a morning rose, Or on the rainbow of the salt sand-wave, Or on the wealth of globed peonies;
Or if thy mistress some rich anger shows, Emprison her soft hand, and let her rave, And feed deep, deep upon her peerless eyes.

She dwells with Beauty - Beauty that must die; And Joy, whose hand is ever at his lips
Bidding adieu; and aching Pleasure nigh, Turning to poison while the bee-mouth sips:
Ay, in the very temple of Delight Veil'd Melancholy has her sovran shrine, Though seen of none save him whose strenuous tongue Can burst Joy's grape against his palate fine;
His soul shall taste the sadness of her might, And be among her cloudy trophies hung. - John Keats
.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Ode On Melancholy
• John Keats
• poet
• poem
• poetry
• reading
• interpretation
• Yanni
• music
• In the Morning Light

[7Simonsays]

You're into poetry?

[HurricaneHeidi]

Yes 8-)

It took awhile for me to express my sensitive side here -- I was so intrigued with being controversial and humorous first.

[oldbaxter]

How do you interpret the "shade to shade"?

[Oscar301]

that was great. sincerely, thank you

[beccalovesbingo]

i have to analyze this poem for british literature, thanks for helping me understand what keats is really saying. :)

[beccalovesbingo]

i have to analyze this poem for british literature and was having a hard time, you really helped me realize what it was about, thanks :)

[jemole]

i think its fantastic the way you explained the poem piece by piece.

i went over it a few times by myself and wasn't able to really grasp the logic behind it.. Fantastic..Fantastic. you made me love the poem even more :)