sE2Rai
THE HESPERIAN STUDENT.
mum
is to work on in faith and if no man can be found
who is willing to undertake the task of building up
the school, wc can, to a certain extent, build it up
ourselves by doing our best for its advancement both
here and at our homes.
JOHN KEATS.
The poetry of England at tlio close of tlio 18th century
was peculiarly subjective, The opinions of men colored
their writings, and genius wns fettered by the bonds of
principles previously established. Tho critics woro un
jnst and thomiajority of them, incapable of appreciating
true literary worth. They deligntcd in discovering tho
tho faults, rather than the excellencies of an author, and
lacking keen insight, criticised from mere prejudice.
John Keats fell bencuth the blow of such adverse judg
ment, but helms since gained immortal fame, while his
destroyers have sunk far beneath him in the opinions of
mankind. His school life passed away quietly, un
marked by any important success or failure.
On first reading Spencer, the "Poets poet," he became
inspired with the poetic spirit to such a degree, that his
apprentice work became distasteful, and was soon aban
doned. Ills naturally sensitive nature rendered him cap
able of the finest perceptions. Though not profound, ho
nevertheless posessed that gift which enabled him to
wreathe graceful garlands of verse.
"Endymion" is by far tlio longest and most fantastic
of his poems. The passion of the young god for a dream,
hitlscemingly interminable wanderings through Elysiau
fields, in search of tho beautiful creature, Diana, while
divine music lulls his senses, and ilowery mazes sur
round his foot steps, all lend an irresistabio enchantment.
Although the poem excels in beauty, yet it is not of the'
strongest type. The "Deities of Greece" with their pas
sions and experiences, are brought within the range of
our sympathies. Keats was truly successful in portray,
ing the mighty deeds of the invincible immortals of
Olympus. He gavo an ethcrial touch topoelry, and we
gaze, as it were, into the mirrored face of nature. His
fancy was unfettered speeding without an impulse of tho
will; perfecting itself in Endymion, until it became as
his glorious vision "tho completed form of all com.
pleteness."
The descriptions are unparalled.
each successive stroke, if guided
serves only to increase tho beauty
progress in Endymion each tint
completes the magic of its charms.
Though often lost in tho labyrinth of the poem, wo
grant to the author, the poscssion of rich imagination,
picturesque description, and a power to stir the finest
emotions. He lacked majesty, yet though he was not
wealthy in the dower of spauning wisdom, and did not
know the shiftings of the mighty winds that blow hither
and thither all the changing thoughts of man, yet beforo
him there ever rolled a vast idea; he had seen the end
and aim of poetry
Tho fact that he belonged to a new school of poets, and
embraced heartily their principles, brought upouhlm tho
As in a painting
by a skillful hand,
and efTect, so as wo
and shade more fully
lowering clouds of sarcasm and hitter slander which en
veloped the rest of his llfo in denso darkness. Tho ado.
ration of his few intimate friends, was only equalled by
tho malignity ot his enemies. Those who illlcd tho col
umsof the "Quarterly Review' with derisive articles
concerning tho youthful production "Endymion" con
sidcrcd as madness hU magical utterance, and as scn
suousness his revels in tho beauties of naturo, Their
sneer was final, and influenced some of tho noblest
minds of tho age. "But tills Is human life," ho saysi
"the deeds, tho disappointments, all humanboarlng In
themselves this good to show how quiet death Is." As
the reviews desired, ho was silenced It was the dcop
stillness of the grave, hut their work was incomplete.
He gives forth utterances again, and lifts the thoughts
of men as of old. Keats could bo subjected to no severer
criticism than his own, and his poetry improved as ho bo.
came more critical. His most scholarly and classical
epic production was checked beforo it was completed,
and remains a mero fragment. In Hyperion, Keats
truly reaches the sublime. His style is purified and un
embellished, and though the beautiful predominates, his
perceptions are clearer and ho displays romarkablo forco
of execution. The deposition of Saturn from tlio throne,
which is usurped by Jupiter, is tho important feature.
This crowning work elicited nothing but praiso, which
was well merited.
Endymion is tlio outgrowth of youthful fancies; Hy
perion, of intense feeling, excelling and surpassing in pow
er. Tlio former may be compared to tlio roseate hues
which adorn tho horizon proclaiming the approach of
Apollo tho latter, totho glory of meridian splendor.
One possessing intrinsic beauties, tho other a luminous
centre, from which emanates a drainlcss shower of light.
Tho cry of Keat's heart was uttered in accents "mourn
ful strange'11 in tho '"Odo to the Nightingale." Ho dc
sired to "leavo the world unseen and fade away with tho
the birds Into tho 'forest dim.1 " Intermingled with
praises of the itnraorlalgsougster, wc find an unalysisjof
lif his mental state at the timo. A tinge of melancholy
and despondency characterizes others of Ills poems. "Tho
Eve of Sb. Agnes' founded upon a charming legued,
possesses an elegance of diction and delicate imagery
seldom surpassed. In "Sleep and Poetry" he displays a
a marked refinement of fancy.
Matthew Arnold iays no who could so well render
things seen and temporal, must also bo ablo to interpret
the unseen and eternal." Shelley proved a friend to tho
persecuted one, who willingly acknowledged hig gratness
In tho "Ado:snis"an elegy on the death ofKeats, ho pays
tho following trlbuto to his genius: "his fate aud famo
shall be on echo and a light unto eternity, and his soul
like a star, beacons from tho abode where the eternal are."
Shelley, who reared such a lusting memorial to tho poet,
was an atheist; Keats, free in religion, attempted to dis
place the stilted poetry of the former century, by lithe
aud graceful verse. Both were poets of the true English
sort and both martyrs. Shelley revealed the truth, as ho
believed, in all its simplicity; Keats, tho buried magic of
nature. His pooms arc chaste and pure, a reflection of
his own soul.
Keats died at Rome when twenty-fivo years of age, aftor
a poetic career of three years. This epitaph of his own
uiciauon is upon ms tombstone Here lies one whoso
name was writ in water." Tho nightingale sobs forth
J