A Thing of Beauty (Endymion)

1A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:

2Its lovliness increases; it will never

3Pass into nothingness; but still will keep

4A bower quiet for us, and a sleep

5Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

6Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing

7A flowery band to bind us to the earth,

8Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth

9Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,

10Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkn'd ways

11Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,

12Some shape of beauty moves away the pall

13From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,

14Trees old and young, sprouting a shady boon

15For simple sheep; and such are daffodils

16With the green world they live in; and clear rills

17That for themselves a cooling covert make

18'Gainst the hot season; the mid-forest brake,

19Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:

20And such too is the grandeur of the dooms

21We have imagined for the mighty dead;

22An endless fountain of immortal drink,

23Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink.