X. I saw pale kings and princes too, Pale warriors, death-pale were they all; They criedโโLa Belle Dame sans Merci Hath thee in thrall!โ XI. I saw their starved lips in the gloam, With horrid warning gaped wide, And I awoke and found me here, On the cold hillโs side. XII. And this is why I sojourn here, Alone and palely loitering, Though the sedge is witherโd from the lake, And no birds sing.
John KeatsAsk yourself my love whether you are not very cruel to have so entrammelled me, so destroyed my freedom. Will you confess this in the Letter you must write immediately, and do all you can to console me in it โ make it rich as a draught of poppies to intoxicate me โwrite the softest words and kiss them that I may at least touch my lips where yours have been. For myself I know not how to express my devotion to so fair a form: I want a brighter word than bright, a fairer word than fair.
John Keats