Endymion: A Poetic Romance is John Keats's long narrative poem in four books, retelling the Greek myth of the shepherd Endymion and the moon goddess. It is known for its rich imagery and its opening line, 'A thing of beauty is a joy for ever.' Listen for its musical verse and youthful Romantic ambition.
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Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.
Opening of the book
ENDYMION: A Poetic Romance. BY JOHN KEATS. “THE STRETCHED METRE OF AN ANTIQUE SONG.” LONDON: PRINTED FOR TAYLOR AND HESSEY, 93, FLEET STREET. 1818. INSCRIBED TO THE MEMORY OF THOMAS CHATTERTON. PREFACE. Knowing within myself the manner in which this Poem has been produced, it is not without a feeling of regret that I make it public. What manner I mean, will be quite clear to the reader, who must soon perceive great inexperience, immaturity, and every error denoting a feverish attempt, rather than a deed accomplished. The two first books, and indeed the two last, I feel sensible are not of such completion as to warrant their passing the press; nor should they if I thought a year's castigation would do them any good;–it will not: the foundations are too sandy. It is just that this youngster should die away: a sad thought for me, if I had not some hope that while it is dwindling I may be plotting, and fitting myself for verses fit to live. This may be speaking too presumptuously, and may deserve a punishment: but no feeling man will be forward to inflict it: he will leave me alone, with the conviction that there
is not a fiercer hell than the failure in a great object. This is not written with the least atom of purpose to forestall criticisms of course, but from the desire I have to conciliate men who are competent to look, and who do look with a zealous eye, to the honour of English literature. The imagination of a boy is healthy, and the mature imagination of a man is healthy; but there is a space of life between, in which the soul is in a ferment, the character undecided, the way of life uncertain, the ambition thick-sighted: thence proceeds mawkishness, and all the thousand bitters which those men I speak of must necessarily taste in going over the following pages. I hope I have not in too late a day touched the beautiful mythology of Greece, and dulled its brightness: for I wish to try once more, before I bid it farewel. Teignmouth, April 10, 1818.
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