# XXXVIII explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by John Keats.

## What happens

Lorenzo speaks from beyond the grave, describing his burial place and asking Isabel to shed a tear upon his heather-bloom for comfort within the tomb.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Loss

Lorenzo's plea from the grave underscores the enduring bond and sorrow of separation.

### Mortality and the Sublime

The description of the tomb and natural decay evokes the sublime nature of death.

## Character check-ins

### Lorenzo

Speaks from the tomb, describing his burial site and pleading for Isabel's tear.

### Isabel

Addressed by Lorenzo; she is asked to shed a tear for him.

## Key lines

> Isabel, my sweet Red whortleberries droop above my head, And a large flint-stone weighs upon my feet; Around me beeches and high chestnuts shed Their leaves and prickly nuts; a sheepfold bleat Comes from beyond the river to my bed: Go, shed one tear upon my heather-bloom, And it shall comfort me within the tomb.

Isabel, my love, red whortleberries hang over my head, a heavy flint stone presses on my feet; beeches and chestnuts drop leaves and nuts around me, and I hear sheep bleating from across the river. Please come and weep on the heather where I lie, and that will bring me comfort in my grave.

_Lorenzo's ghostly message to Isabel, describing his burial and asking for her tear._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxxviii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_14_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters