Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONG (1) by JOHN KEATS

Poet Analysis

First Line: I HAD A DOVE AND THE SWEET DOVE DIED
Last Line: WHY NOT LIVE SWEETLY, AS IN THE GREEN TREES?
Subject(s): DOVES;
I HAD a dove and the sweet dove died;
And I have thought it died of grieving:
O, what could it grieve for? Its feet were tied,
With a silken thread of my own hand's weaving;
Sweet little red feet! why should you die--
Why should you leave me, sweet bird! why?
You liv'd alone in the forest-tree,
Why, pretty thing! would you not live with me?
I kiss'd you oft and gave you white peas;
Why not live sweetly, as in the green trees?



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