Two or Three Posies
Two or Three Posies - meaning Summary
Counting Comic Contrasts
Keats playfully lists pairs and small quantities of ordinary things, creating a light, rollicking catalogue of contrasts and domestic detail. The repeated phrase "two or three" builds a rhythmic, childlike counting that links trivial items—pimples, naps, purses—with social types and comic mismatches. The closing image of "dove’s eggs" poised to "hatch into sonnets" suggests an ironic, affectionate claim that humble, mundane materials can give rise to poetic creation.
Read Complete AnalysesTwo or three posies With two or three simples – Two or three noses With two or three pimples – Two or three wisemen And two or three ninnies – Two or three purses And two or three guineas – Two or three raps At two or three doors – Two or three naps Of two or three hours – Two or three cats And two or three mice – Two or three sprats At a very great price – Two or three sandies And two or three tabbies – Two or three dandies And two Mrs — mum! Two or three smiles And two or three frowns – Two or three miles To two or three towns – Two or three pegs For two or three bonnets – Two or three dove’s eggs To hatch into sonnets.
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