Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONNET (WRITTEN UPON THE TOP OF BEN NEVIS), by JOHN KEATS


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SONNET (WRITTEN UPON THE TOP OF BEN NEVIS), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Read me a lesson, muse, and speak it loud
Last Line: But in the world of thought and mental might!
Subject(s): Ben Nevis (mountain), Scotland


READ me a lesson, Muse, and speak it loud
Upon the top of Nevis, blind in mist!
I look into the chasms, and a shroud
Vapourous doth hide them,--just so much I wist
Mankind do know of hell; I look o'erhead,
And there is sullen mist,--even so much
Mankind can tell of heaven; mist is spread
Before the earth, beneath me,--even such,
Even so vague is man's sight of himself!
Here are the craggy stones beneath my feet,--
Thus much I know that, a poor witless elf,
I tread on them,--that all my eye doth meet
Is mist and crag, not only on this height,
But in the world of thought and mental might!





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