2d. Its touches of beauty should never be half-way, thereby making the reader breathless, instead of content. The rise, the progress, the setting of Imagery should, like the sun, come natural to him, shine over him, and set soberly, although in magnificence, leaving him in the luxury of twilight. But it is easier to think what poetry should be, than to write it--And this leads me to Another axiom--That if poetry comes not as naturally as the leaves to a tree, it had better not come at all.--However it may be with me, I cannot help looking into new countries with "O for a Muse of Fire to ascend!" If Endymion serves me as a pioneer, perhaps I ought to be content--I have great reason to be content, for thank God I can read, and perhaps understand Shakspeare to his depths; and I have I am sure many friends, who, if I fail, will attribute any change in my life and temper to humbleness rather than pride--to a cowering under the wings of great poets, rather than to a bitterness that I am not appreciated. I am anxious to get Endymion printed that I may forget it and proceed. I have copied the 3rd Book and begun the 4th. On running my eye over the proofs, I saw one mistake--I will notice it presently, and also any others, if there be any. There should be no comma in "the raft branch down sweeping from a tall ash-top." I have besides made one or two alterations, and also altered the thirteenth line p. 32 to make sense of it, as you will see. I will take care the printer shall not trip up my heels. There should be no dash after Dryope, in the line "Dryope's lone lulling of her child." Remember me to Percy Street. Your sincere and obliged friend JOHN KEATS. _P.S._--You shall have a short preface in good time. XL.--TO MESSRS. TAYLOR AND HESSEY. [Hampstead, March 1818?] My dear Sirs--I am this morning making a general clearance of all lent Books--all--I am afraid I do not return all--I must fog your memories about them--however with many thanks here are the remainder--which I am afraid are not worth so much now as they were six months ago--I mean the fashions may have changed-- Yours truly JOHN KEATS. XLI.--TO BENJAMIN BAILEY. Teignmouth, Friday [March 13, 1818].[50]