Sonnet 
On First Looking into Chapman's Homer 
Much have I traveled in the realms of gold. 
And many good States and kingdoms seen; 
Round many western islands have I been 
Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold. 
Oft of one wide expanse had I been told 
That deep-browed Homer ruled as his demesne; 
Yet did I never breathe its pure serene 
Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold: 
Then felt I like some watcher of the skies 
When a new planet swims into his ken; 
Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes 
He stared at the Pacific—and all his men 
Looked at each other with a wild surmise— 
Silent, upon a peak in Darien. 
John Keats, 
