Ode On A Grecian Urn

11Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard

12 Are sweeter; therefore, ye soft pipes, play on;

13Not to the sensual ear, but, more endear'd,

14 Pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone:

15Fair youth, beneath the trees, thou canst not leave

16 Thy song, nor ever can those trees be bare;

17 Bold Lover, never, never canst thou kiss,

18Though winning near the goal yet, do not grieve;

19 She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss,

20 For ever wilt thou love, and she be fair!

21Ah, happy, happy boughs! that cannot shed

22 Your leaves, nor ever bid the Spring adieu;

23And, happy melodist, unwearied,

24 For ever piping songs for ever new;

25More happy love! more happy, happy love!

26 For ever warm and still to be enjoy'd,

27 For ever panting, and for ever young;

28All breathing human passion far above,

29 That leaves a heart high-sorrowful and cloy'd,

30 A burning forehead, and a parching tongue.

31Who are these coming to the sacrifice?

32 To what green altar, O mysterious priest,

33Lead'st thou that heifer lowing at the skies,

34 And all her silken flanks with garlands drest?

35What little town by river or sea shore,

36 Or mountain-built with peaceful citadel,

37 Is emptied of this folk, this pious morn?

38And, little town, thy streets for evermore

39 Will silent be; and not a soul to tell

40 Why thou art desolate, can e'er return.

41O Attic shape! Fair attitude! with brede

42 Of marble men and maidens overwrought,

43With forest branches and the trodden weed;

44 Thou, silent form, dost tease us out of thought

45As doth eternity: Cold Pastoral!

46 When old age shall this generation waste,

47 Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe

48Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say'st,

49 "Beauty is truth, truth beauty, — that is all

50 Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."