John Keats(1795–1821)

On the Sonnet

If by dull rhymes our English must be chained,

And, like Andromeda,8 the Sonnet sweet

Fettered, in spite of pained loveliness;

Let us find out, if we must be constrained,

Sandals more interwoven and complete

To fit the naked foot of poesy;

Let us inspect the lyre, and weigh the stress

Of every chord, and see what may be gained

By ear industrious, and attention meet;

Misers of sound and syllable, no less

Than Midas9 of his coinage, let us be

Jealous 0 of dead leaves in the bay-wreath crown; 1intolerant

So, if we may not let the Muse2 be free,

She will be bound with garlands of her own.

1848