"I HAD A DOVE, AND THE SWEET DOVE DIED" John Keats c. 1818? =============================================== I had a dove, and the sweet dove died; And I have thought it died of grieving: O, what could it grieve for? its feet were tied With a single thread of my own hand's weaving; Sweet little red feet, why should you die-- Why should you leave me, sweet bird, why? You lived alone in the forest tree, Why, pretty thing! would you not live with me? I kiss'd you oft and gave you white peas; Why not live sweetly, as in the green trees? ======== ========