Endymion

Keats’s long poem in four books on the Greek myth of the shepherd Endymion and his love for the moon goddess, which opens “A thing of beauty is a joy for ever”.

Start reading4 books, about 31,000 words

Famous lines

• A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
  Its loveliness increases; it will never
  Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
  A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
  Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

  Book IIn context

  • Beauty

• O magic sleep! O comfortable bird,
  That broodest o’er the troubled sea of the mind
  Till it is hush’d and smooth!

  Bk. I, l. 453In context

  • Sleep

• Time, that aged nurse,
  Rocked me to patience.

  Bk. I, l. 705In context

  • Time

• He ne’er is crown’d
  With immortality, who fears to follow
  Where airy voices lead.

  Bk. II, l. 211In context

  • Courage

Contents

1. Book I
2. Book II
3. Book III
4. Book IV