but, more endear'd

It is in the poem Ode on a Grecian Urn that John Keats wishes to express his fascination with the unknown, the indescribable. The words ?sensual? is used to describe physical gratification, oftentimes carrying sexual connotations. In this poem, Keats believes that what he is describing is not only above the ?sensual?, but it is as if this ?endear?d? unknown is above the concept of description itself. In this sense the transmission of this Keats poem is different than what one might see in a Wordsworth or even Byron work. Keats poses many questions that he wishes to remain unanswered as he abandons questions throughout the poem. By continually positioning one question after another Keats leaves the audience with little chance to comprehend one question before another one is upon them.
In accordance with this desire to have questions remain unanswered, Keats also emphasizes the importance of what he believes is above this ?sensual? happiness. Physical satisfaction is of lesser worth than something like the urn because physical satisfaction is temporary, with its pleasure only lasting for a short while. This concept of the superiority of these unattainable or ?unheard melodies? is further highlighted by the way in which Keats positions the flow of the first two lines in the second stanza. By dropping ?Are sweeter? unto the next line, Keats draws the audience?s attention towards the prominence of these unheard melodies.