Lycius

Question 1

And still the cup was full,–while he afraid

Answer 1

The only fear Lycius has is of time being too short. One might say that he appears able to exist in a state of ‘Negative Capability, that is, when a man is capable of being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason’ (from Keats’ letter dealing with men of literary achievement, dated 21 December 1817). One might say that Lycius has (and represents) the imagination of the artist who seeks to maintain the creative vision against ‘irritable reaching after fact and reason’.

Question 2

Like a young Jove with calm uneager face,

Answer 2

The simile compares him most favourably to the king of the gods. ‘Uneager’ suggests to me that Lamia sees Lycius to be beyond petty competitiveness.