Quote#Poetry
We hate poetry that has a palpable design upon us — and if we do not…
Quote byJohn Keats · 1795–1821
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Letters (1817–1820), To John Hamilton Reynolds (3 February 1818).
English (original)
We hate poetry that has a palpable design upon us — and if we do not agree, seems to put its hand in its breeches pocket. Poetry should be great and unobtrusive, a thing which enters into one's soul, and does not startle or amaze with itself, but with its subject.
— John Keats
More from John Keats
It keeps eternal whisperings around Desolate shores, and with its mighty swell Gluts twice ten thousand Caverns, till the spell Of Hecate leaves them their old shadowy sound.
But were there ever any Writh'd not of passed joy? The feel of not to feel it, When there is none to heal it, Nor numbed sense to steel it, Was never said in rhyme.
In drear-nighted December, Too happy, happy tree, Thy branches ne'er remember Their green felicity.
Sweet are the pleasures that to verse belong, And doubly sweet a brotherhood in song.
My spirit is too weak — mortality Weighs heavily on me like unwilling sleep, And each imagin'd pinnacle and steep Of godlike hardship tells me I must die Like a sick Eagle looking at the sky.
then on the shore Of the wide world I stand alone, and think Till Love and Fame to nothingness do sink.