The Mermaid Tavern
John Keats
1795 to 1821
Track 1
Reconstruct the poem by dragging each line into its correct position. Your goal is to reassemble the original poem as accurately as possible. As you move the lines, you'll see whether your arrangement is correct, helping you explore the poem's flow and meaning. You can also print out the jumbled poem to cut up and reassemble in the classroom. Either way, take your time, enjoy the process, and discover how the poet's words come together to create something truly beautiful.
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What Elysium have ye known,
The Mermaid in the Zodiac.
Have ye tippled drink more fine
Than mine host's Canary wine?
I have heard that on a day
Of venison? O generous food!
Drest as though bold Robin Hood
Mine host's sign-board flew away,
Sweeter than those dainty pies
Choicer than the Mermaid Tavern?
Or are fruits of Paradise
Happy field or mossy cavern,
Souls of Poets dead and gone,
Would, with his maid Marian,
Said he saw you in your glory,
Sup and bowse from horn and can.
Sipping beverage divine,
Choicer than the Mermaid Tavern?
Nobody knew whither, till
To a sheepskin gave the story,
Happy field or mossy cavern,
And pledging with contented smack
Underneath a new old-sign
An astrologer's old quill
Souls of Poets dead and gone,
What Elysium have ye known,