Quotes from John Keats

A Man's life of any worth is a continual allegory, and very few eyes can see the Mystery of his life—a life like the scriptures, figurative—which such people can no more make out than they can the Hebrew Bible. Lord Byron cuts a figure but he is not figurative—Shakspeare led a life of Allegory: his works are the comments on it

Love in a hut, with water and a crust, Is—Love, forgive us!—cinders, ashes, dust. Love in a palace is perhaps at last More grievous torment than a hermit's fast.

How is it Shadows! that I knew ye not? How came ye muffled in so hush a mask? Was it a silent deep-disguised plot To steal away, and leave without a task My idle days? Ripe was the drowsy hour; The blissful cloud of summer-indolence Benumbed my eyes; my pulse grew less and less; Pain had no sting, and pleasure's wreath no flower: O why did ye not melt, and leave my sense Unhaunted quite of all but—nothingness?

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 & unobtrusive, a thing which enters into one's soul, and does not startle it or amaze it with itself but with its subject.

Save me from curious conscience, that still hoards Its strength for darkness, burrowing like the mole; Turn the key deftly in the oiled wards, And seal the hushed casket of my soul.

I could be martyr'd for my Religion — Love is my religion — I could die for that — I could die for you.

Love doth scathe The gentle heart, as northern blasts do roses.

We read fine things but never feel them to the full until we have gone the same steps as the author.

Every fresh experience points out some form of error which we shall afterwards carefully avoid.

A proverb is no proverb to you till life has illustrated it.

He ne'er is crowned with immortality Who fears to follow where airy voices lead.

Love is my religion - I could die for it.