John Rachal's Blog

1

Shelley endeavored to reform the world,

In mythic poetry his visions unfurled;

In prose he contrived a grand aesthetic

But as husband, he tried, but is less sympathetic.

2

Lord Byron’s wit charms with cleverest rhyme:

All confess Don Juan is simply sublime;

So is the cruel poet’s surfeit of ego

The needed essence of the Byronic hero?

3

In lyric and letters gentle Keats astonished

Yet for Endymion was fiercely admonished;

But what other bright star ever alive

Has risen so far at age twenty-five?

4

Glorious Romantics! Shelley, Byron, and Keats,

Singly performing their poetical feats,

But who, when combined, no brighter light has shone—

Save when Shakespeare scribbled alone.