JOHN KEATS

Beneath my palm-trees, by the river side, I sat a-weepmg: what enamour'd bride, Cheated by shadowy wooer from the clouds.

But hides and shrouds Beneath dark palm-trees by a river side?

And as I sat, over the light blue hitts There came a noise of revellers: the rills Into the wide stream came of purple hue

'Twas Bacchus and his crew ! The earnest trumpet spake, and silver thrills From kissing cymbals made a merry din

'Twas Bacchus and his kin! Like to a moving vintage down they came, Crown'd with green leaves, and faces all on flame j All madly dancing through the pleasant valley,

To scare thee, Melancholy ! O then, O then, thou wast a simple name ! And I forgot thee, as the berried holly By shq>herds is forgotten, when in June Tall chestnuts keep away the sun and moon :

I rush'd into the folly !

Within his car, aloft, young Bacchus stood, Trifling his ivy-dart, in dancing mood,

With sidelong laughing; And little rills of crimson wine imbrued His plump white arms and shoulders, enough white

For Venus* pearly bite; And near him rode Silenus on his ass, Pelted with flowers as he on did pass

Tipsily quaffing.

�� �