Mapping Keats’s Progress: A Critical Chronology

Mapping Keats’s Progress
A Critical Chronology

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References to this poem

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 3.29 , University of Victoria, 26 October 2026. 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 3.29 , last modified 26th October 2026. 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 3.29 , last modified 26th October 2026. https://johnkeats.uvic.ca/poem_to_a_young_lady_who_sent.html.