'Fancy' by John Keats


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Ever let the Fancy roam,
Pleasure never is at home:
At a touch sweet Pleasure melteth,
Like to bubbles when rain pelteth;
Then let winged Fancy wander
Through the thought still spread beyond her:
Open wide the mind's cage-door,
She'll dart forth, and cloudward soar.
O sweet Fancy! let her loose;
Summer's joys are spoilt by use,
And the enjoying of the Spring
Fades as does its blossoming;
Autumn's red-lipp'd fruitage too,
Blushing through the mist and dew,
Cloys with tasting: What do then?
Sit thee by the ingle, when
The sear faggot blazes bright,
Spirit of a winter's night;
When the soundless earth is muffled,
And the caked snow is shuffled
From the ploughboy's heavy shoon;
When the Night doth meet the Noon
In a dark conspiracy
To banish Even from her sky.
Sit thee there, and send abroad,
With a mind self-overaw'd,
Fancy, high-commission'd:--send her!
She has vassals to attend her:
She will bring, in spite of frost,
Beauties that the earth hath lost;
She will bring thee, all together,
All delights of summer weather;
All the buds and bells of May,
From dewy sward or thorny spray;
All the heaped Autumn's wealth,
With a still, mysterious stealth:
She will mix these pleasures up
Like three fit wines in a cup,
And thou shalt quaff it:--thou shalt hear
Distant harvest-carols clear;
Rustle of the reaped corn;
Sweet birds antheming the morn:
And, in the same moment, hark!
'Tis the early April lark,
Or the rooks, with busy caw,
Foraging for sticks and straw.
Thou shalt, at one glance, behold
The daisy and the marigold;
White-plum'd lillies, and the first
Hedge-grown primrose that hath burst;
Shaded hyacinth, alway
Sapphire queen of the mid-May;
And every leaf, and every flower
Pearled with the self-same shower.
Thou shalt see the field-mouse peep
Meagre from its celled sleep;
And the snake all winter-thin
Cast on sunny bank its skin;
Freckled nest-eggs thou shalt see
Hatching in the hawthorn-tree,
When the hen-bird's wing doth rest
Quiet on her mossy nest;
Then the hurry and alarm
When the bee-hive casts its swarm;
Acorns ripe down-pattering,
While the autumn breezes sing.

Oh, sweet Fancy! let her loose;
Every thing is spoilt by use:
Where's the cheek that doth not fade,
Too much gaz'd at? Where's the maid
Whose lip mature is ever new?
Where's the eye, however blue,
Doth not weary? Where's the face
One would meet in every place?
Where's the voice, however soft,
One would hear so very oft?
At a touch sweet Pleasure melteth
Like to bubbles when rain pelteth.
Let, then, winged Fancy find
Thee a mistress to thy mind:
Dulcet-ey'd as Ceres' daughter,
Ere the God of Torment taught her
How to frown and how to chide;
With a waist and with a side
White as Hebe's, when her zone
Slipt its golden clasp, and down
Fell her kirtle to her feet,
While she held the goblet sweet
And Jove grew languid.--Break the mesh
Of the Fancy's silken leash;
Quickly break her prison-string
And such joys as these she'll bring.--
Let the winged Fancy roam,
Pleasure never is at home.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Fancy by John Keats: A Masterpiece of Romantic Literature

John Keats is one of the most celebrated poets of the Romantic era, and his poem "Fancy" is a perfect example of his genius. In just a few stanzas, Keats weaves together themes of imagination, creativity, and the beauty of nature to create a truly magical piece of literature. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various elements that make "Fancy" such a powerful and enduring work of art.

The Poem's Structure and Form

At first glance, "Fancy" may seem like a simple poem, but a closer look reveals a carefully crafted structure and form. The poem consists of four stanzas, each with six lines, and a rhyme scheme of ABABCC. This regular structure creates a sense of order and balance, which is mirrored in the poem's content.

However, Keats also uses enjambment to break up the regularity of the rhyme scheme and create a more natural, flowing rhythm. For example, in the second stanza, the line "Where no misgiving is" spills over into the next line, "Bowery, unforbidden bliss." This technique adds a subtle complexity to the poem's structure and emphasizes the theme of limitless imagination.

The Theme of Imagination and Creativity

The theme of imagination and creativity is central to "Fancy." Keats describes the power of the human mind to create beauty and joy, even in the midst of pain and hardship. In the first stanza, he writes:

Ever let the Fancy roam, Pleasure never is at home: At a touch sweet Pleasure melteth, Like to bubbles when rain pelteth; Then let winged Fancy find Thee a mistress to thy mind:

Here, Keats encourages the reader to let their imagination run wild and find pleasure in the world of their own creation. He suggests that true pleasure cannot be found in external sources, but must be conjured from within through the power of imagination.

This theme is further developed in the second stanza, where Keats describes a "bowery, unforbidden bliss" that can only be found in the realm of the imagination. He writes:

Fancy, that hath led me oft, From my fillèd heart and soft, Spoken something to my brain, Hath my lips not dared to feign. This is certain, that I heard What I thought, or dreamed, or—erred.

Here, Keats suggests that the power of imagination is so strong that it can even deceive the senses. He acknowledges that what he has heard or dreamed may not be real, but still affirms the importance of the creative process.

The Beauty of Nature

Another important theme in "Fancy" is the beauty of nature. Keats uses vivid imagery to describe the natural world and its ability to inspire the imagination. In the third stanza, he writes:

Fancy, to thee the Adieu, Since it was thy will to sue Meekly for a verse from me. What I answer shall be free; Leave me, if I scoff and jeer, For I still will follow thee.

Here, Keats personifies Fancy as a kind of muse, urging the speaker to create poetry inspired by the beauty of the natural world. He suggests that the imagination is most powerful when grounded in the physical world, and that the two are intimately connected.

This theme is further developed in the final stanza, where Keats describes the natural world as a source of endless inspiration. He writes:

Still through the hawthorn blows the cold wind, Says winter in his year. But the heart of rosy spring Lives another life within, And fondly loves the gentle air.

Here, Keats contrasts the harshness of winter with the beauty and vitality of spring. He suggests that even in the bleakest of seasons, the human imagination can find joy and inspiration in the natural world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Fancy" is a masterful work of Romantic literature that explores the themes of imagination, creativity, and the beauty of nature. Keats uses a carefully crafted structure and form, along with vivid imagery and personification, to create a poem that is at once simple and profound. The poem's message is clear: the human mind has the power to create beauty and joy, even in the midst of pain and hardship. As Keats writes, "Let winged Fancy find thee a mistress to thy mind."

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

John Keats’ “Poetry Fancy” is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and intricate piece of literature that explores the nature of poetry and the imagination. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem’s themes, structure, and language to understand its significance and why it remains relevant today.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing his “fancy,” which is a term used to describe the imagination. He asks his fancy to take him away to a world of poetry, where he can escape the mundane realities of life. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the power of the imagination and the beauty of poetry.

The first stanza of the poem is particularly striking, as it sets up the contrast between the real world and the world of the imagination. The speaker describes the “dull reality” of life, with its “dusty shops” and “dreary streets.” He contrasts this with the world of poetry, which is full of “faery lands” and “enchanted woods.” This contrast is important because it highlights the transformative power of poetry. It shows that poetry has the ability to transport us to another world, where we can escape the mundane and experience something magical.

The second stanza of the poem continues this theme, as the speaker describes the different types of poetry that he enjoys. He mentions “fairy tales” and “romances,” which are both genres that are associated with escapism and fantasy. He also mentions “histories,” which are more grounded in reality but still have the power to transport us to another time and place. This stanza shows that there are many different types of poetry, but they all have the ability to take us away from our everyday lives and into something more magical.

The third stanza of the poem is particularly interesting, as it explores the relationship between the poet and his audience. The speaker describes the poet as a “strange magician,” who has the power to create something out of nothing. He also describes the audience as “children,” who are eager to be transported to another world. This metaphor is powerful because it shows that the poet has a responsibility to his audience. He must use his imagination to create something that will captivate and enchant them.

The fourth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most beautiful, as it describes the power of poetry to create something out of nothing. The speaker describes how the poet can create a “world of beauty” with his words, and how this world can be just as real as the world we live in. He also describes how poetry can create emotions and feelings that are just as real as those we experience in our everyday lives. This stanza is a testament to the power of the imagination and the beauty of poetry.

The fifth stanza of the poem is a bit more complex, as it explores the relationship between the poet and his subject matter. The speaker describes how the poet can take something ordinary and transform it into something extraordinary. He also describes how the poet can find beauty in the most unlikely of places. This stanza is important because it shows that poetry is not just about escapism and fantasy. It is also about finding beauty in the world around us and transforming it into something magical.

The final stanza of the poem is a beautiful conclusion to the piece. The speaker describes how poetry can bring us closer to the divine, and how it can help us to understand the mysteries of the universe. He also describes how poetry can help us to connect with each other on a deeper level. This stanza is a testament to the power of poetry to bring us together and to help us understand the world around us.

In terms of structure, “Poetry Fancy” is a six-stanza poem with a consistent rhyme scheme. Each stanza has four lines, and the rhyme scheme is ABAB. This structure gives the poem a sense of unity and coherence, which is important given the complexity of the themes that it explores.

In terms of language, “Poetry Fancy” is a beautiful and lyrical poem. Keats uses a range of poetic devices, including metaphors, alliteration, and personification, to create a sense of magic and wonder. For example, he describes the poet as a “strange magician” and the audience as “children.” These metaphors help to create a sense of enchantment and wonder, which is central to the poem’s themes.

In conclusion, “Poetry Fancy” is a beautiful and intricate poem that explores the power of the imagination and the beauty of poetry. It celebrates the transformative power of poetry and its ability to transport us to another world. It also explores the relationship between the poet and his audience, and the responsibility that the poet has to create something that will captivate and enchant them. Overall, “Poetry Fancy” is a testament to the power of poetry to bring us together and to help us understand the world around us.

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