{
 "id": "john-keats/the-eve-of-st-agnes",
 "title": "The Eve of St. Agnes",
 "ordinal": null,
 "subtitle": null,
 "poet": "John Keats",
 "poet_slug": "john-keats",
 "language": "en",
 "book": "Lamia, Isabella, The Eve of St. Agnes, and Other Poems",
 "book_slug": "lamia-isabella-the-eve-of-st-agnes-and-other-poems",
 "book_kind": "volume",
 "sequence": null,
 "container": null,
 "epigraph": null,
 "first_published": {
  "year": 1820,
  "venue": "Lamia, Isabella, The Eve of St. Agnes, and Other Poems (1820)",
  "note": "First located printing is this volume; an earlier periodical printing has not been established.",
  "uncertain": false,
  "sources": [
   "https://archive.org/details/keatslamia"
  ]
 },
 "source": {
  "kind": "standard-ebooks",
  "repo": "standardebooks/john-keats_poetry",
  "file": "poetry.xhtml",
  "upstream": [
   "https://archive.org/details/completepoetical01keat",
   "https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/005261190"
  ],
  "rights": "public domain (SE dedication; underlying text pre-1931)"
 },
 "verification": {
  "level": "structural-only",
  "last_checked": "2026-08-12"
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 "stanzas": [
  [
   {
    "text": "St. Agnes’ Eve⁠—Ah, bitter chill it was!",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The owl, for all his feathers, was a-cold;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The hare limp’d trembling through the frozen grass,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And silent was the flock in woolly fold:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Numb were the Beadsman’s fingers, while he told",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "His rosary, and while his frosted breath,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Like pious incense from a censer old,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Seem’d taking flight for heaven, without a death,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Past the sweet Virgin’s picture, while his prayer he saith.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "His prayer he saith, this patient, holy man;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Then takes his lamp, and riseth from his knees,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And back returneth, meagre, barefoot, wan",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Along the chapel aisle by slow degrees:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The sculptured dead, on each side, seem to freeze,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Emprison’d in black, purgatorial rails:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Knights, ladies, praying in dumb orat’ries,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "He passeth by; and his weak spirit fails",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "To think how they may ache in icy hoods and mails.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Northward he turneth through a little door,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And scarce three steps, ere Music’s golden tongue",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Flatter’d to tears this aged man and poor;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "But no⁠—already had his death-bell rung;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The joys of all his life were said and sung:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "His was harsh penance on St. Agnes’ Eve:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Another way he went, and soon among",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Rough ashes sat he for his soul’s reprieve,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And all night kept awake, for sinners’ sake to grieve.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "That ancient Beadsman heard the prelude soft;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And so it chanced, for many a door was wide,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "From hurry to and fro. Soon, up aloft,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The silver, snarling trumpets ’gan to chide:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The level chambers, ready with their pride,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Were glowing to receive a thousand guests:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The carved angels, ever eager-eyed,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Stared, where upon their heads the cornice rests,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "With hair blown back, and wings put crosswise on their breasts.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "At length burst in the argent revelry,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "With plume, tiara, and all rich array,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Numerous as shadows haunting fairily",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The brain, new-stuff’d, in youth, with triumphs gay",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Of old romance. These let us wish away,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And turn, sole-thoughted, to one Lady there,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Whose heart had brooded, all that wintry day,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "On love, and wing’d St. Agnes’ saintly care,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "As she had heard old dames full many times declare.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "They told her how, upon St. Agnes’ Eve,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Young virgins might have visions of delight,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And soft adorings from their loves receive",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Upon the honey’d middle of the night,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "If ceremonies due they did aright;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "As, supperless to bed they must retire,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And couch supine their beauties, lily white;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Nor look behind, nor sideways, but require",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Heaven with upward eyes for all that they desire.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Full of this whim was thoughtful Madeline:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The music, yearning like a God in pain,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "She scarcely heard: her maiden eyes divine,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Fix’d on the floor, saw many a sweeping train",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Pass by⁠—she heeded not at all: in vain",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Came many a tiptoe, amorous cavalier,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And back retired; not cool’d by high disdain,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "But she saw not: her heart was otherwhere;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "She sigh’d for Agnes’ dreams, the sweetest of the year.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "She danced along with vague, regardless eyes,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Anxious her lips, her breathing quick and short:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The hallow’d hour was near at hand: she sighs",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Amid the timbrels, and the throng’d resort",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Of whisperers in anger, or in sport;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "’Mid looks of love, defiance, hate, and scorn,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Hoodwink’d with faery fancy; all amort,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Save to St. Agnes and her lambs unshorn,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And all the bliss to be before to-morrow morn.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "So, purposing each moment to retire,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "She linger’d still. Meantime, across the moors,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Had come young Porphyro, with heart on fire",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "For Madeline. Beside the portal doors,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Buttress’d from moonlight, stands he, and implores",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "All saints to give him sight of Madeline,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "But for one moment in the tedious hours,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "That he might gaze and worship all unseen;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Perchance speak, kneel, touch, kiss⁠—in sooth such things have been.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "He ventures in: let no buzz’d whisper tell:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "All eyes be muffled, or a hundred swords",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Will storm his heart. Love’s fev’rous citadel:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "For him, those chambers held barbarian hordes,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Hyena foemen, and hot-blooded lords,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Whose very dogs would execrations howl",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Against his lineage: not one breast affords",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Him any mercy, in that mansion foul,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Save one old beldame, weak in body and in soul.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Ah, happy chance! the aged creature came,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Shuffling along with ivory-headed wand,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "To where he stood, hid from the torch’s flame,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Behind a broad hall-pillar, far beyond",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The sound of merriment and chorus bland:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "He startled her; but soon she knew his face,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And grasp’d his fingers in her palsied hand,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Saying, “Mercy, Porphyro! hie thee from this place;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "They are all here to-night, the whole bloodthirsty race!",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Get hence! get hence! there’s dwarfish Hildebrand;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "He had a fever late, and in the fit",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "He cursed thee and thine, both house and land:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Then there’s that old Lord Maurice, not a whit",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "More tame for his gray hairs⁠—Alas me! flit!",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Flit like a ghost away.”⁠—“Ah, Gossip dear,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "We’re safe enough; here in this armchair sit,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And tell me how”⁠—“Good Saints! not here, not here;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Follow me, child, or else these stones will be thy bier.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "He follow’d through a lowly arched way,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Brushing the cobwebs with his lofty plume;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And as she mutter’d “Well-a⁠—well-a-day!”",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "He found him in a little moonlight room,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Pale, latticed, chill, and silent as a tomb.",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "“Now tell me where is Madeline,” said he,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "“O tell me, Angela, by the holy loom",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Which none but secret sisterhood may see,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "When they St. Agnes’ wool are weaving piously.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“St. Agnes! Ah! it is St. Agnes’ Eve⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Yet men will murder upon holy days:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Thou must hold water in a witch’s sieve,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And be liege-lord of all the Elves and Fays,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "To venture so: it fills me with amaze",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "To see thee, Porphyro!⁠—St. Agnes’ Eve!",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "God’s help! my lady fair the conjurer plays",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "This very night: good angels her deceive!",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "But let me laugh awhile, I’ve mickle time to grieve.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Feebly she laugheth in the languid moon,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "While Porphyro upon her face doth look,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Like puzzled urchin on an aged crone",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Who keepeth closed a wond’rous riddle-book,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "As spectacled she sits in chimney nook.",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "But soon his eyes grew brilliant, when she told",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "His lady’s purpose; and he scarce could brook",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Tears, at the thought of those enchantments cold,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And Madeline asleep in lap of legends old.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Sudden a thought came like a full-blown rose,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Flushing his brow, and in his pained heart",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Made purple riot: then doth he propose",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "A stratagem, that makes the beldame start:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "“A cruel man and impious thou art:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Sweet lady, let her pray, and sleep, and dream",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Alone with her good angels, far apart",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "From wicked men like thee. Go, go! I deem",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Thou canst not surely be the same that thou didst seem.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“I will not harm her, by all saints I swear,”",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Quoth Porphyro: “O may I ne’er find grace",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "When my weak voice shall whisper its last prayer,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "If one of her soft ringlets I displace,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Or look with ruffian passion in her face:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Good Angela, believe me by these tears;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Or I will, even in a moment’s space,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Awake, with horrid shout, my foemen’s ears,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And beard them, though they be more fang’d than wolves and bears.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Ah! why wilt thou affright a feeble soul?",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "A poor, weak, palsy-stricken, church-yard thing,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Whose passing-bell may ere the midnight toll;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Whose prayers for thee, each morn and evening,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Were never miss’d.” Thus plaining, doth she bring",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "A gentler speech from burning Porphyro;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "So woeful, and of such deep sorrowing,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "That Angela gives promise she will do",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Whatever he shall wish, betide her weal or woe.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Which was, to lead him, in close secrecy,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Even to Madeline’s chamber, and there hide",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Him in a closet, of such privacy",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "That he might see her beauty unespied,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And win perhaps that night a peerless bride,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "While legion’d fairies paced the coverlet,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And pale enchantment held her sleepy-eyed.",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Never on such a night have lovers met,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Since Merlin paid his Demon all the monstrous debt.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“It shall be as thou wishest,” said the Dame:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "“All cates and dainties shall be stored there",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Quickly on this feast-night: by the tambour frame",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Her own lute thou wilt see: no time to spare,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "For I am slow and feeble, and scarce dare",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "On such a catering trust my dizzy head.",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Wait here, my child, with patience; kneel in prayer",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The while: Ah! thou must needs the lady wed,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Or may I never leave my grave among the dead.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "So saying she hobbled off with busy fear.",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The lover’s endless minutes slowly pass’d;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The Dame return’d, and whisper’d in his ear",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "To follow her; with aged eyes aghast",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "From fright of dim espial. Safe at last,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Through many a dusky gallery, they gain",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The maiden’s chamber, silken, hush’d and chaste;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Where Porphyro took covert, pleased amain.",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "His poor guide hurried back with agues in her brain.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Her falt’ring hand upon the balustrade,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Old Angela was feeling for the stair,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "When Madeline, St. Agnes’ charmed maid,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Rose, like a mission’d spirit, unaware:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "With silver taper’s light, and pious care,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "She turn’d, and down the aged gossip led",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "To a safe level matting. Now prepare,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Young Porphyro, for gazing on that bed;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "She comes, she comes again, like ring-dove fray’d and fled.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Out went the taper as she hurried in;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Its little smoke, in pallid moonshine, died:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "She closed the door, she panted, all akin",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "To spirits of the air, and visions wide:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "No uttered syllable, or, woe betide!",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "But to her heart, her heart was voluble,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Paining with eloquence her balmy side;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "As though a tongueless nightingale should swell",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Her throat in vain, and die, heart-stifled in her dell.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "A casement high and triple arch’d there was,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "All garlanded with carven imag’ries",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Of fruits, and flowers, and bunches of knot-grass,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And diamonded with panes of quaint device,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Innumerable of stains and splendid dyes,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "As are the tiger-moth’s deep-damask’d wings;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And in the midst, ’mong thousand heraldries,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And twilight saints, and dim emblazonings,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "A shielded scutcheon blush’d with blood of queens and kings.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Full on this casement shone the wintry moon,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And threw warm gules on Madeline’s fair breast,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "As down she knelt for heaven’s grace and boon;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Rose-bloom fell on her hands, together prest,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And on her silver cross soft amethyst,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And on her hair a glory, like a saint:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "She seem’d a splendid angel, newly drest,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Save wings, for heaven:⁠—Porphyro grew faint;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "She knelt, so pure a thing, so free from mortal taint.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Anon his heart revives: her vespers done,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Of all its wreathed pearls her hair she frees;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Unclasps her warmed jewels one by one;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Loosens her fragrant bodice; by degrees",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Her rich attire creeps rustling to her knees:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Half-hidden, like a mermaid in sea-weed,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Pensive awhile she dreams awake, and sees,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "In fancy, fair St. Agnes in her bed,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "But dares not look behind, or all the charm is fled.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Soon, trembling in her soft and chilly nest,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "In sort of wakeful swoon, perplex’d she lay,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Until the poppied warmth of sleep oppress’d",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Her soothed limbs, and soul fatigued away;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Flown, like a thought, until the morrow-day;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Blissfully haven’d both from joy and pain;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Clasp’d like a missal where swart Paynims pray;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Blinded alike from sunshine and from rain,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "As though a rose should shut, and be a bud again.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Stol’n to this paradise, and so entranced,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Porphyro gazed upon her empty dress,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And listen’d to her breathing, if it chanced",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "To wake into a slumberous tenderness;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Which when he heard, that minute did he bless,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And breathed himself: then from the closet crept,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Noiseless as fear in a wide wilderness,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And over the hush’d carpet, silent, stept,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And ’tween the curtains peep’d, where, lo!⁠—how fast she slept.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then by the bed-side, where the faded moon",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Made a dim, silver twilight, soft he set",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "A table, and, half-anguish’d, threw thereon",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "A cloth of woven crimson, gold, and jet:⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "O for some drowsy Morphean amulet!",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The boisterous, midnight, festive clarion,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The kettle-drum, and far-heard clarionet,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Affray his ears, though but in dying tone:⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The hall-door shuts again, and all the noise is gone.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And still she slept an azure-lidded sleep,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "In blanched linen, smooth, and lavender’d,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "While he from forth the closet brought a heap",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Of candied apple, quince, and plum, and gourd;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "With jellies soother than the creamy curd,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And lucent syrops, tinct with cinnamon;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Manna and dates, in argosy transferr’d",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "From Fez; and spiced dainties, every one,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "From silken Samarkand to cedar’d Lebanon.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "These delicates he heap’d with glowing hand",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "On golden dishes and in baskets bright",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Of wreathed silver: sumptuous they stand",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "In the retired quiet of the night,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Filling the chilly room with perfume light.⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "“And now, my love, my seraph fair, awake!",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Thou art my heaven, and I thine eremite:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Open thine eyes, for meek St. Agnes’ sake,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Or I shall drowse beside thee, so my soul doth ache.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Thus whispering, his warm, unnerved arm",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Sank in her pillow. Shaded was her dream",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "By the dusk curtains:⁠—’twas a midnight charm",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Impossible to melt as iced stream:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The lustrous salvers in the moonlight gleam;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Broad golden fringe upon the carpet lies:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "It seem’d he never, never could redeem",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "From such a steadfast spell his lady’s eyes;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "So mused awhile, entoil’d in woofed phantasies.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Awakening up, he took her hollow lute,⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Tumultuous,⁠—and, in chords that tenderest be,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "He play’d an ancient ditty, long since mute,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "In Provence call’d “La Belle Dame Sans Mercy:”",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Close to her ear touching the melody;⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Wherewith disturb’d, she utter’d a soft moan:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "He ceased⁠—she panted quick⁠—and suddenly",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Her blue affrayed eyes wide open shone:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Upon his knees he sank, pale as smooth-sculptured stone.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Her eyes were open, but she still beheld,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Now wide awake, the vision of her sleep:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "There was a painful change, that nigh expell’d",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The blisses of her dream so pure and deep",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "At which fair Madeline began to weep,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And moan forth witless words with many a sigh;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "While still her gaze on Porphyro would keep;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Who knelt, with joined hands and piteous eye,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Fearing to move or speak, she look’d so dreamingly.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Ah, Porphyro!” said she, “but even now",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Thy voice was at sweet tremble in mine ear,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Made tuneable with every sweetest vow;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And those sad eyes were spiritual and clear:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "How changed thou art! how pallid, chill, and drear!",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Give me that voice again, my Porphyro,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Those looks immortal, those complainings dear!",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Oh leave me not in this eternal woe,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "For if thou diest, my Love, I know not where to go.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Beyond a mortal man impassion’d far",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "At these voluptuous accents, he arose,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Ethereal, flush’d, and like a throbbing star",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Seen mid the sapphire heaven’s deep repose;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Into her dream he melted, as the rose",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Blendeth its odour with the violet,⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Solution sweet: meantime the frost-wind blows",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Like Love’s alarum pattering the sharp sleet",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Against the window-panes; St. Agnes’ moon hath set.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "’Tis dark: quick pattereth the flaw-blown sleet",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "“This is no dream, my bride, my Madeline!”",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "’Tis dark: the iced gusts still rave and beat:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "“No dream, alas! alas! and woe is mine!",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Porphyro will leave me here to fade and pine.⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Cruel! what traitor could thee hither bring?",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "I curse not, for my heart is lost in thine,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Though thou forsakest a deceived thing;⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "A dove forlorn and lost with sick unpruned wing.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“My Madeline! sweet dreamer! lovely bride!",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Say, may I be for aye thy vassal blest?",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Thy beauty’s shield, heart-shaped and vermeil dyed?",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Ah, silver shrine, here will I take my rest",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "After so many hours of toil and quest,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "A famish’d pilgrim,⁠—saved by miracle.",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Though I have found, I will not rob thy nest",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Saving of thy sweet self; if thou think’st well",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "To trust, fair Madeline, to no rude infidel.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Hark! ’tis an elfin storm from faery land,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Of haggard seeming, but a boon indeed:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Arise⁠—arise! the morning is at hand:⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The bloated wassailers will never heed:⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Let us away, my love, with happy speed;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "There are no ears to hear, or eyes to see,⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Drown’d all in Rhenish and the sleepy mead:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Awake! arise! my love, and fearless be,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "For o’er the southern moors I have a home for thee.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "She hurried at his words, beset with fears,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "For there were sleeping dragons all around,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "At glaring watch, perhaps, with ready spears⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Down the wide stairs a darkling way they found.⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "In all the house was heard no human sound.",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "A chain-droopd lamp was flickering by each door;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The arras, rich with horseman, hawk, and hound,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Flutter’d in the besieging wind’s uproar;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And the long carpets rose along the gusty floor.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "They glide, like phantoms, into the wide hall;",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Like phantoms to the iron porch they glide,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Where lay the Porter, in uneasy sprawl,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "With a huge empty flagon by his side:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The wakeful bloodhound rose, and shook his hide,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "But his sagacious eye an inmate owns:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "By one, and one, the bolts full easy slide:⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The chains lie silent on the footworn stones;⁠—",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The key turns, and the door upon its hinges groans.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And they are gone: aye, ages long ago",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "These lovers fled away into the storm.",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "That night the Baron dreamt of many a woe,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "And all his warrior-guests, with shade and form",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Of witch, and demon, and large coffin-worm,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Were long be-nightmared. Angela the old",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "Died palsy-twitch’d, with meagre face deform:",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "The Beadsman, after thousand aves told,",
    "indent": 1
   },
   {
    "text": "For aye unsought-for slept among his ashes cold.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ]
 ]
}