Mapping Keats’s Progress: A Critical Chronology

Mapping Keats’s Progress
A Critical Chronology

To a Young Lady Who Sent Me a Laurel Crown

  • Fresh morning gusts have blown away all fear
  • From my glad bosom — now from gloominess
  • I mount for ever — not an atom less
  • Than the proud laurel shall content my bier.
  • No! by the eternal stars! or why sit here
  • In the sun’s eye, and ’gainst my temples press
  • Apollo’s very leaves — woven to bless
  • By thy white fingers and thy spirit clear.
  • Lo! who dares say, “Do this” ? — Who dares call down
  • My will from its own high purpose? who say, “Stand,”
  • Or “Go” ? This mighty moment I would frown
  • On abject Caesars — not the stoutest band
  • Of mailed heroes should tear off my crown:—
  • Yet would I kneel and kiss thy gentle hand!

× Cite this page:

MLA Style: Works Cited

Keats, John. “To a Young Lady Who Sent Me a Laurel Crown.” Mapping Keats’s Progress: A Critical Chronology, by G. Kim Blank. Edition 3.26 , University of Victoria, 12 July 2023. https://johnkeats.uvic.ca/poem_to_a_young_lady_who_sent.html.

Chicago Style: Note

John Keats, “To a Young Lady Who Sent Me a Laurel Crown,” Mapping Keats’s Progress: A Critical Chronology, Edition 3.26 , last modified 12th July 2023. https://johnkeats.uvic.ca/poem_to_a_young_lady_who_sent.html.

Chicago Style: Bibliography

Keats, John. “To a Young Lady Who Sent Me a Laurel Crown.” Mapping Keats’s Progress: A Critical Chronology, Edition 3.26 , last modified 12th July 2023. https://johnkeats.uvic.ca/poem_to_a_young_lady_who_sent.html.