Keats, Ode on a Grecian Urn and Ode To Autumn

ODE ON A GRECIAN URN Keats was an important figure in early 19th century poetry and arguably wrote some of the most beautiful and moving poetry in the English language, despite dying at a very young age. Many of Keats' themes and concerns are quintessentially Romantic such as the beauty of nature and the transience of human life in time. Keats seems troubled by a quest for beauty and perfection and this is especially evident …

…sing; and now with treble soft The redbreast whistles from a garden-croft; And gathering swallows twitter in the skies. Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard Are sweeter; therefore, ye soft pipes, play on; Not to the sensual ear.... 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. (Ode On Melancholy, stanza 3)