Lyric Poem · Nature

To Jane: 'The Keen Stars Were Twinkling'

by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Reading room

1The keen stars were twinkling,

2And the fair moon was rising among them,

3Dear Jane!

4The guitar was tinkling,

5But the notes were not sweet till you sung them

6Again.

7As the moon's soft splendour

8O'er the faint cold starlight of Heaven

9Is thrown,

10So your voice most tender

11To the strings without soul had then given

12Its own.

13The stars will awaken,

14Though the moon sleep a full hour later,

15To-night;

16No leaf will be shaken

17Whilst the dews of your melody scatter

18Delight.

19Though the sound overpowers,

20Sing again, with your dear voice revealing

21A tone

22Of some world far from ours,

23Where music and moonlight and feeling

24Are one.

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“To Jane: 'The Keen Stars Were Twinkling'” by Percy Bysshe Shelley — quilloak.com/poems/to-jane-the-keen-stars-were-twinkling

Quick facts

Poem: To Jane: 'The Keen Stars Were Twinkling'
Poet: Percy Bysshe Shelley
Length: 24 lines
Form: Lyric Poem
Themes: Nature, Peace, Dreams & Sleep

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Shape: 24 lines · 4 sestets

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Author record: Percy Bysshe Shelley1792–1822
Source record: PoetryDBTo Jane: 'The Keen Stars Were Twinkling' by percy-bysshe-shelley, PoetryDB transcription
Display decision: Full text · United States · reviewed 2026-07-18
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Lyric Poem Nature Peace Dreams & Sleep

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