John Keats

On Leaving Some Friends at an Early Hour

On Leaving Some Friends at an Early Hour - form Summary

A Sonnet of Reluctance

Keats frames this short lyric as a sonnet that channels intense longing into a compact, cumulative argument. Rich, visionary images are stacked like a parade to extend company and delay departure. The poem’s sonnet structure focuses and accelerates desire, moving from imagined splendors to a plain, personal admission of unwillingness to be alone. The form concentrates feeling into a single, urgent emotional claim.

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Give me a golden pen, and let me lean On heaped-up flowers, in regions clear, and far; Bring me a tablet whiter than a star, Or hand of hymning angel, when 'tis seen The silver strings of heavenly harp atween: And let there glide by many a pearly car Pink robes, and wavy hair, and diamond jar, And half-discovered wings, and glances keen. The while let music wander round my ears, And as it reaches each delicious ending, Let me write down a line of glorious tone, And full of many wonders of the spheres: For what a height my spirit is contending! 'Tis not content so soon to be alone.

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