“Written in Disgust of Vulgar Superstition”

January 22, 2012 | Miscellania

This week’s poem is “Written in Disgust of Vulgar Superstition” by John Keats. It is a bit of a departure from his typical subject matter, which makes the poem’s impact even greater. Enjoy.
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“Written in Disgust of Vulgar Superstition” by John Keats

The church bells toll a melancholy round,
Calling the people to some other prayers,
Some other gloominess, more dreadful cares,
More hearkening to the sermon’s horrid sound.
Surely the mind of man is closely bound
In some black spell; seeing that each one tears
Himself from fireside joys, and Lydian airs,
And converse high of those with glory crown’d.
Still, still they toll, and I should feel a damp,–
A chill as from a tomb, did I not know
That they are dying like an outburnt lamp;
That ’tis their sighing, wailing ere they go
Into oblivion; — that fresh flowers will grow,
And many glories of immortal stamp.