Souls of Poets dead and gone, <br /> What Elysium have ye known, <br /> Happy field or mossy cavern, <br /> Choicer than the Mermaid Tavern? <br /> Have ye tippled drink more fine <br /> Than mine host's Canary wine? <br /> Or are fruits of Paradise <br /> Sweeter than those dainty pies <br /> Of venison? O generous food! <br /> Drest as though bold Robin Hood <br /> Would, with his maid Marian, <br /> Sup and bowse from horn and can. <br /> <br /> I have heard that on a day <br /> Mine host's sign-board flew away, <br /> Nobody knew whither, till <br /> An astrologer's old quill <br /> To a sheepskin gave the story, <br /> Said he saw you in your glory, <br /> Underneath a new old sign <br /> Sipping beverage divine, <br /> And pledging with contented smack <br /> The Mermaid in the Zodiac. <br /> <br /> Souls of Poets dead and gone, <br /> What Elysium have ye known, <br /> Happy field or mossy cavern, <br /> Choicer than the Mermaid Tavern?<br /><br />John Keats<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/lines-on-the-mermaid-tavern/
