Lamia is a narrative poem by John Keats, retelling a classical myth of a serpent transformed into a woman and her love for a young man in ancient Greece. It meditates on beauty, illusion, and philosophy through Keats's lush imagery and musical couplets. Worth listening for its atmospheric blend of romance and myth.
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Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.
Opening of the book
LAMIA By John Keats Contents Part 1 Upon a time, before the faery broods Drove Nymph and Satyr from the prosperous woods, Before King Oberon's bright diadem, Sceptre, and mantle, clasp'd with dewy gem, Frighted away the Dryads and the Fauns From rushes green, and brakes, and cowslip'd lawns, The ever-smitten Hermes empty left His golden throne, bent warm on amorous theft: From high Olympus had he stolen light, On this side of Jove's clouds, to escape the sight Of his great summoner, and made retreat Into a forest on the shores of Crete. For somewhere in that sacred island dwelt A nymph, to whom all hoofed Satyrs knelt; At whose white feet the languid Tritons poured
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