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Home  »  Poetical Works  »  26. Addressed to Haydon

John Keats (1795–1821). The Poetical Works of John Keats. 1884.

26. Addressed to Haydon

HIGHMINDEDNESS, a jealousy for good,

A loving-kindness for the great man’s fame,

Dwells here and there with people of no name,

In noisome alley, and in pathless wood:

And where we think the truth least understood,

Oft may be found a “singleness of aim,”

That ought to frighten into hooded shame

A money mong’ling, pitiable brood.

How glorious this affection for the cause

Of stedfast genius, toiling gallantly!

What when a stout unbending champion awes

Envy, and Malice to their native sty?

Unnumber’d souls breathe out a still applause,

Proud to behold him in his country’s eye.