"A thing of beauty is a joy forever" is the opening line of which poem by the romantic poet John Keats ?

Question

Accepted Answer

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever" is indeed the opening line of John Keats' poem *Endymion*. Therefore, Option 3 is the correct answer.

Here's why:

*   **Option 3: Endymion (Correct):** The very first line of Keats' epic poem *Endymion: A Poetic Romance* is, without a doubt, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever." This makes Option 3 the undeniably correct choice. The poem explores themes of beauty, love, and the pursuit of an ideal, and this opening line sets the tone for the entire work.

Now, let's examine why the other options are incorrect:

*   **Option 1: La Belle Dame Sans Merci (Incorrect):** While *La Belle Dame Sans Merci* is a famous poem by Keats, it does *not* begin with the line "A thing of beauty is a joy forever." It's a ballad focused on a knight's encounter with a mysterious and enchanting woman, and its opening lines are different.

*   **Option 2: Ode to a Nightingale (Incorrect):** *Ode to a Nightingale* is another well-known poem by Keats, but it starts with the line "My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains." It explores themes of mortality, beauty, and the power of art, but it does not contain the famous opening line in question.

*   **Option 4: The Eve of St. Agnes (Incorrect):** *The Eve of St. Agnes* is a narrative poem by Keats that tells a story of love and superstition. Its opening lines describe the cold and religious atmosphere of St. Agnes' Eve. It does not begin with "A thing of beauty is a joy forever."

Therefore, based on the provided information and the actual text of Keats' poems, Option 3, *Endymion*, is definitively the correct answer.