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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNET: ADDRESSED TO HAYDON (2) by JOHN KEATS

Poet Analysis

First Line: GREAT SPIRITS NOW ON EARTH ARE SOJOURNING
Last Line: LISTEN AWHILE, YE NATIONS, AND BE DUMB.
Subject(s): HAYDON, BENJAMIN ROBERT (1786-1846);

GREAT spirits now on earth are sojourning:
He of the cloud, the cataract, the lake,
Who on Helvellyn's summit, wide awake,
Catches his freshness from Archangel's wing:
He of the rose, the violet, the spring,
The social smile, the chain for Freedom's sake:
And lo! whose steadfastness would never take
A meaner sound than Raphael's whispering.
And other spirits there are, standing apart
Upon the forehead of the age to come;
These, these will give the world another heart,
And other pulses. Hear ye not the hum
Of mighty workings? --
Listen awhile, ye nations, and be dumb.



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