The complete poetical works and letters of John Keats/Sonnet: 'As from the darkening gloom a silver dove'

by John Keats

SONNET

Lord Houghton gives the date of 1816. It appears in the Aldine edition of 1876.

As from the darkening gloom a silver dove
Upsoars, and darts into the eastern light,
On pinions that nought moves but pure delight,
So fled thy soul into the realms above,
Regions of peace and everlasting love;
Where happy spirits, crown'd with circlets bright
Of starry beam, and gloriously bedight,
Taste the high joy none but the blest can prove.
There thou or joinest the immortal quire
In melodies that even heaven fair
Fill with superior bliss, or, at desire,
Of the omnipotent Father, cleav'st the air
On holy message sent—What pleasure 's higher?
Wherefore does any grief our joy impair?