'Two or three Posies'

At the close of a letter, April 17, 1819, to his sister Fanny, Keats writes: 'Mr. and Mrs. Dilke are coming to dine with us to-day [at Wentworth Place]. They will enjoy the country after Westminster. O there is nothing like fine weather, and health, and Books, and a fine country, and a contented Mind, and diligent habit of reading and thinking, and an amulet against the ennui—and, please heaven, a little claret wine cool out of a cellar a mile deep—with a few or a good many ratafia cakes—a rocky basin to bathe in, a strawberry bed to say your prayers to Flora in, a pad nag to go you ten miles or so; two or three sensible people to chat with; two or three spiteful folks to spar with; two or three odd fishes to laugh at and two or three numskulls to argue with—instead of using dumb bells on a rainy day.'

Two or three Posies

With two or three simples—

Two or three Noses

With two or three pimples—

Two or three wise men

And two or three ninny's—

Two or three purses

And two or three guineas—

Two or three raps

At two or three doors—

Two or three naps

Of two or three hours—

Two or three Cats

And two or three mice—

Two or three sprats

At a very great price—

Two or three sandies

And two or three tabbies—

Two or three dandies

And two Mrs. mum!

Two or three Smiles

And two or three frowns—

Two or three Miles

To two or three towns—

Two or three pegs

For two or three bonnets—

Two or three dove eggs

To hatch into sonnets—