527. The Mermaid Tavern

John Keats (1795—1821)

  SOULS of Poets dead and gone,

  What Elysium have ye known,

  Happy field or mossy cavern,

  Choicer than the Mermaid Tavern?

  Have ye tippled drink more fine

  Than mine host’s Canary wine?

  Or are fruits of Paradise

  Sweeter than those dainty pies

  Of Venison? O generous food!

  Drest as though bold Robin Hood

  Would, with his Maid Marian,

  Sup and bowse from horn and can.

  I have heard that on a day

  Mine host’s sign-board flew away

  Nobody knew whither, till

  An astrologer’s old quill

  To a sheepskin gave the story—

  Said he saw you in your glory

  Underneath a new-old Sign

  Sipping beverage divine,

  And pledging with contented smack

  The Mermaid in the Zodiac!

  Souls of Poets dead and gone,

  What Elysium have ye known—

  Happy field or mossy cavern—

  Choicer than the Mermaid Tavern?