Question

byron, shelley, and keats: mastery test
4
select the correct text in the passage.
in this excerpt from \ode on a grecian urn\ by john keats, which four parts reflect the theme that art is immortal?
heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard
are sweeter; therefore, ye soft pipes, play on;
not to the sensual ear, but, more endeard,
pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone:
fair youth, beneath the trees, thou canst not leave
thy song, nor ever can those trees be bare;
bold lover, never, never canst thou kiss,
though winning near the goal yet, do not grieve;
she cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss,
for ever wilt thou love, and she be fair!

Explanation:

These lines reflect the immortality of art by describing scenes frozen on the urn that never change or end: the trees stay leafy, the lover's pursuit is eternal, the beloved never fades, and the lover's love and her beauty persist forever.

Answer:

1. nor ever can those trees be bare;
2. Bold Lover, never, never canst thou kiss,
3. She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss,
4. For ever wilt thou love, and she be fair!