Lines on the Mermaid Tavern

John Keats(1795–1821)

The complete poetical works and letters of John Keats, 1818

Souls of Poets dead and gone,What Elysium have ye known,Happy field or mossy cavern,Choicer than the Mermaid Tavern?Have ye tippled drink more fineThan mine host's Canary wine?Or are fruits of ParadiseSweeter than those dainty piesOf venison? O generous food!Drest as though bold Robin Hood10Would, with his maid Marian,Sup and bowse from horn and can.

I have heard that on a dayMine host's sign-board flew away,Nobody knew whither, tillAn astrologer's old quillTo a sheepskin gave the story,Said he saw you in your glory,Underneath a new-old signSipping beverage divine,20And pledging with contented smackThe Mermaid in the Zodiac.

Souls of Poets dead and gone,What Elysium have ye known,Happy field or mossy cavern,Choicer than the Mermaid Tavern?

From The complete poetical works and letters of John Keats (1818), via the English Wikisource transcription.

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