查看完整版本: [专题]怀念济慈

[专题]怀念济慈

"Sir. By drinking your d#amn';d tank water I have got the gravel - what reparation can you make to me and my family? Nathan Benjamin" By a fortunate hit, I hit upon his right he[a]then name - his right Pronomen. Brown in consequence it appears wrote to the surprised Mr Benjamin the following "Sir, I cannot offer you any remuneration until your gravel shall have formed itself into a Stone when I will cut you with Pleasure. C. Brown" This of Browns Mr Benjamin has answered insisting on an explatinon [for explanation] of this singular circumstance. B. says "when I read your Letter and his following I roared, and in came  Mr Snook who on reading them seem';d likely to burst the hoops of his fat sides - so the Joke has told well - Now for the one I played on myself - I must first give you the scene and the dramatis Personæ - There are an old M[a]jor and his youngish wife live in the next apartments to me - His bed room door opens at an angle with my sitting room door. Yesterday I was reading as demurely as a Parish Clerk when I heard a rap at the door - I got up and opened it-no one was to be seen - I listened and heard some one in the Major';s room - Not content with this I went up stairs and down look';d in the cubboards - and watch';d - At last I set myself to read again not quite so demurely - then there came a louder rap - I arose determin';d to find out who it was - I look out the Stair cases were all silent - "This must be the Major';s wife said I - at all events I will see the truth" so I rapt me at the Major';s door and went in to the utter surprise and confusion of the Lady who was in reality there - after a little explanation, which I can no more describe than fly, I made my retreat from her convinced of my mistake. She is to all appearance a silly body and is really surprised about it - She must have been - for I have discoverd that a little girt in the house was the Rappee - I assure you she has nearly make me sneeze. If the Lady tells tits I shall put a very grave and moral face on the matter with the old Gentleman, and make his little Boy a present of a humming top -
My Dear George - This Monday morning the 27th I have received your last dated July 12th You say you have not heard from England these three months - Then my Letter from Shanklin wr[i]tten I think at the end of July cannot have reach';d you. You shall not have cause to think I neglect you. I have kept this back a little time in expectation of hearing from Mr Abbey - You will say I might have remained in Town to be Abbey';s messenger in these affairs. That I offer';d him - but he in his answer convinced me he was anxious to bring the Business to an issue - He observed that by being himself the agent in the whole, people might be more expeditious. You say you have not heard for th[r]ee mo[n]ths and yet you letters have the tone of knowing how our affairs are situated by which I conjecture I acquainted you with them in a Letter previous to the Shanklin one. That I may not have done. To be certain I will here state that it is in consequence of Mrs Jennings threatning a Chancery suit that you have been kept from the receipt of monies and myself deprived of any help from Abbey - I am glad you say you keep up your Spirits - I hope you make a true statement on that score - Still keep them up - for we are all young - I can only repeat here that you shall hear from me again immediately - Notwithstanding their bad intelligence I have experienced some pleasure in receiving so correctly two Letters from you, as it give[s] me if I may so say a distant Idea of Proximity. This last improves upon my litle niece - Kiss her for me. Do not fret yourself about the delay of money on account of any immediate opportunity being lost: for in a new country whoever has money must have opportunity of employing it in many ways. The report runs now more in favor of Kean stopping in England. If he should I have confident hopes of our Tragedy - If he smokes the hotblooded character of Ludolph - and he is the only actor that can do it - He will add to his own fame, and improve my fortune - I will give you a half dozen lines of it before I part as a specimen --
"Not as a Swordsman would I pardon crave,
But as a Son: the bronz';d Centurion
Long-toil';d in foreign wars, and whose high deeds
Are shaded in a forest of tall spears,
Known only to his troop, hath greater plea
Of favour with my Sire than I can have--"
Believe me my dear brother and Sister -
Your affectionate and anxious Brother
John Keats


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[B]Notes[/B]:The American naturalist John James Audubon had swindled George.  

[专题]怀念济慈

因为弟弟和弟妹移居美国，到那里的邮船要很长时间才会有一趟，于是济慈在等船期间每日写两页纸，就成了现在看到的这封洋洋洒洒几万字的信件。这真是一封长得过分的信啊！但很好地反映了济慈的生活和个性。
继续待续中。接下来还有给Fanny Brawne的情书，嗯，还有一封给Shelley的信，内容不是很客气。再下面应该是画像，作品集...先在这里做个预告。有兴趣的人再倾注一点耐心吧。我无论如何要感谢那些能看到这里的朋友，真的很不容易了，能忍耐我的一再拖欠。我会抓紧填坑的。
PS：unicorn的头像太可爱了，我笑了好久 ：P
又该去买《网球》了

[专题]怀念济慈

[B]To Fanny Brawne, 11 October 1819[/B]

[B]Recipient[/B]:Fanny Brawne (1800-1865) was first Keats';s neighbor and later his fiancée.  The eldest child of a widowed mother, she at first perplexed and exasperated the poet.  They fell in love, though Keats';s friends were against the match.
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[B]Introduction[/B]:Keats';s letters to Fanny Brawne are among the most famous love letters ever written.  As next door neighbors, they exchanged numerous short notes, and occasionally more passionate ones.  None of Fanny';s letters to Keats survive.  From his, however, it seems he was often unsettled by her behavior and uncertain of her affection.  His illness brought them closer; when he left for Rome, they were engaged and deeply in love.

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College Street -
My sweet Girl,
I am living to day in yesterday: I was in a complete fa[s]cination all day.  I feel myself at your mercy.  Write me ever so few lines and tell you [for me] you will never for ever be less kind to me than yesterday - You dazzled me - There is nothing in the world so bright and delicate - When Brown came out with that seemingly true story again[ s]t me last night, I felt it would be death to me if you had ever believed it - though against anyone else I could muster up my obstinacy - Before I knew Brown could disprove it I was for the moment miserable.  When shall we pass a day alone?  I have had a thousand kisses, for which with my whole soul I thank love - but if you should deny me the thousand and first - ';t would put me to the proof how great a misery I could live through.  If you should ever carry your threat yesterday into execution - believe me ';t is not my pride, my vanity or any petty passion would torment me - really ';t would hurt my - heart - I could not bear it - I have seen Mrs Dilke this morning - she says she will come with me any fine day-
Ever yours
John Keats
Ah hertè mine!

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[B]Notes[/B]:Keats wrote this letter from College Street in Westminster.Ah hertè mine! is taken from Chaucer';s Troilus and Cressida.

[专题]怀念济慈

[B]To Fanny Brawne, 13 October 1819[/B]

[B]Recipient[/B]:Fanny Brawne (1800-1865) was first Keats';s neighbor and later his fiancée. The eldest child of a widowed mother, she at first perplexed and exasperated the poet.  They fell in love, though Keats';s friends were against the match.
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[B]Introduction[/B]: Keats';s letters to Fanny Brawne are among the most famous love letters ever written.  As next door neighbors, they exchanged numerous short notes, and occasionally more passionate ones. None of Fanny';s letters to Keats survive. From his, however, it seems he was often unsettled by her behavior and uncertain of her affection. His illness brought them closer; when he left for Rome, they were engaged and deeply in love.

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25 College Street
My dearest Girl,
This moment I have set myself to copy some verses out fair.  I cannot proceed with any degree of content.  I must write you a line or two and see if that will assist in dismissing you from my Mind for ever so short a time.  Upon my Soul I can think of nothing else - The time is passed when I had power to advise and warn you again[s]t the unpromising morning of my Life - My love has made me selfish.  I cannot exist without you - I am forgetful of every thing but seeing you again - my Life seems to stop there - I see no further.  You have absorb';d me. I have a sensation at the present moment as though I was dissolving - I should be exquisitely miserable without the hope of soon seeing you.  I should be afraid to separate myself far from you.  My sweet Fanny, will your heart never change?  My love, will it?  I have no limit now to my love - You note came in just here - I cannot be happier away from you - ';T is richer than an Argosy of Pearles.  Do not threat me even in jest. I have been astonished that Men could die Martyrs for religion - I have shudder';d at it - I shudder no more - I could be martyr';d for my Religion - Love is my religion - I could die for that - I could die for you.  My Creed is Love and you are its only tenet - You have ravish';d me away by a Power I cannot resist: and yet I could resist till I saw you; and even since I have seen you I have endeavoured often "to reason against the reasons of my Love."  I can do that no more - the pain would be too great - My Love is selfish - I cannot breathe without you.
Yours for ever
John Keats

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[B]Notes[/B]:Keats quotes from Ford';s ';Tis Pity She';s a Whore.

[专题]怀念济慈

[B]To Fanny Brawne, 19 October 1819[/B]

[B]Recipient[/B]: Fanny Brawne (1800-1865) was first Keats';s neighbor and later his fiancée.The eldest child of a widowed mother, she at first perplexed and exasperated the poet.  They fell in love, though Keats';s friends were against the match.
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[B]Introduction[/B]:Keats';s letters to Fanny Brawne are among the most famous love letters ever written.  As next door neighbors, they exchanged numerous short notes, and occasionally more passionate ones.  None of Fanny';s letters to Keats survive.  From his, however, it seems he was often unsettled by her behavior and uncertain of her affection.  His illness brought them closer; when he left for Rome, they were engaged and deeply in love.

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Great Smith Street
Tuesday Morn -
My sweet Fanny,
On awakening from my three days dream ("I cry to dream again") I find one and another astonish';d at my idleness and thoughtlessness - I was miserable last night - the morning is always restorative - I must be busy, or try to be so.  I  have several things to speak to you of tomorrow morning.  Mrs Dilke I should think will tell you that I purpose living at Hampstead - I must impose chains upon myself - I shall be able to do nothing - I sho[ u ]ld like to cast the die for Love or death - I have no Patience with any thing else - if you ever intend to be cruel to me as you say in jest now but perhaps may sometimes be in earnest be so now  and I will - my mind is in a tremble, I cannot tell what I am writing.
Ever my love yours
John Keats

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[B]Notes[/B]:Keats quotes from Shakespeare';s The Tempest.

[专题]怀念济慈

[B]To Fanny Keats, 26 (?)October 1819[/B]

[B]Recipient[/B]:Fanny Keats (1803-1889) was Keats';s younger sister.Sent to live with their guardian Richard Abbey';s family, she was deliberately separated from her brothers.Abbey did not allow visits and even discouraged letters.  Nonetheless, Keats, always protective of his siblings, wrote often and visited when he could.  But his illness prevented visits during his last months in England; he left for Italy without saying goodbye.In 1826, Fanny married a Spanish poet, Valentin Maria Llanos y Guieterrez, who had admired Keats and visited the poet just three days before his death.Fanny and her husband left England in 1833 and never returned.They lived in Italy from 1861-1864, where she became friendly with Joseph Severn.
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[B]Introduction[/B]:As the oldest brother of orphaned siblings, Keats was deeply devoted to his brothers, George and Tom, and sister, Fanny.  In this letter, he apologizes for neglecting Fanny and tells her about George';s problems in America and his own literary plans.

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Wentworth Place
My dear Fanny,
My Conscience is always reproaching me for neglecting you for so long a time.  I have been returned from Winchester this fortnight and as yet I have not seen you.I have no excuse to offer - I should have no excuse.I shall expect to see you the next time I call on Mr A about Georges affairs which perplex me a great deal - I should have to day gone to see if you were in Town, but as I am in an i[n]dustrious humour (which is so necessary to my livelihood for the future) I am loath to break through it though it be merely for one day, for when I am inclined I can do a great deal in a day - I am more fond of pleasure than study (many men have prefer';d the latter) but I have become resolved to know something which you will credit when I tell you I have left off animal food that my brains may never henceforth be in a greater mist than is theirs by nature - I took Lodgings in Westminster for the purpose of being in the reach of Books, but am now returned to Hampstedd being induced to it by the habit I have acquired of this room I am now in and also from the pleasure of being free from paying any petty attentions to a diminutive housekeeping.  Mr Brown has been my great friend for some time - without him I should have been in, perhaps, personal distress - as I know you love me though I do not deserve it, I am sure you will take pleasure in being a friend to Mr Brown even before you know him - My Lodgings for two or three days were close in the neighbourhood of Mrs Dilke who never sees me but she enquires after you - I have had letters from George lately which do not contain, as I think I told you in my last, the best news.  I have hopes for the best - I trust in a good termination to his affairs which you please god will soon hear of - It is better you should not be teased with the particulars - The whole amount of the ill news is that his mercantile speculations have not had success in consequence of the general depression of trade in the whole province of Kentucky and indeed all america - I have a couple of shells for you you will call pretty -
Your affectionate Brother
John

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[B]Notes[/B]:George Keats';s troubles in America were caused by the Panic of 1819, which wreaked financial havoc in both England and America.

[专题]怀念济慈

[B]To Fanny Brawne, February 1820 collection[/B]
[QUOTE]';On the night I was taken ill when so violent a rush of blood came to my Lungs that I felt nearly suffocated - I assure you I felt it possible I might not survive and at that moment though[ t] of nothing but you - ';[/QUOTE]

[B]Recipient[/B]:Fanny Brawne (1800-1865) was first Keats';s neighbor and later his fiancée.The eldest child of a widowed mother, she at first perplexed and exasperated the poet.  They fell in love, though Keats';s friends were against the match.
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[B]Introduction[/B]:Keats';s letters to Fanny Brawne are among the most famous love letters ever written.  As next door neighbors, they exchanged numerous short notes, and occasionally more passionate ones.  None of Fanny';s letters to Keats survive.  From his, however, it seems he was often unsettled by her behavior and uncertain of her affection.  His illness brought them closer; when he left for Rome, they were engaged and deeply in love.
The following letters are a series written in February 1820.

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10 (?) February 1820
My dearest Girl -
If illness makes such an agreeable variety in the manner of you eyes I should wish you sometimes to be ill.  I wish I had read your note before you went last night that I might have assured you how far I was from suspecting any coldness: You had a just right to be a little silent to one who speaks so plainly to you.  You must believe you shall, you will that I can do nothing say nothing think nothing of you but what has its spring in the Love which has so long been my pleasure and torment.  On the night I was taken ill when so violent a rush of blood came to my Lungs that I felt nearly suffocated - I assure you I felt it possible I might not survive and at that moment though[ t] of nothing but you - When I said to Brown ';this is unfortunate'; I thought of you - ';T is true that since the first two or three days other subjects have entered my head - I shall be looking forward to Health and the Spring and a regular routine of our old Walks.  Your affectionate

J.K -

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February (?) 1820
My sweet love, I shall wait patiently till tomorrow before I see you, and in the mean time, if there is any need of such a thing, assure you by your Beauty, that whenever I have at any .time written on a certain unpleasant subject, .it has been with your welfare impress';d upon my mind.  How hurt I should have been had you ever acceded to what is, notwithstanding, very reasonable!  How much the more do I love you from the general result!  In my present state of Health I feel too much separated from you and could almost speak to you in the words of Lorenzo';s Ghost to Isabella
Your Beauty grows upon me and I feel
A greater love through all my essence steal.
My greatest torment since I have known you has been the fear of you being a little inclined to the Cressid; but that suspicion I dismiss utterly and remain happy in the surety of your Love, which I assure you is as much a wonder to me as a delight.  Send me the words "Good night" to put under my pillow.
Dearest Fanny,
Your affectionate
J.K.

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February (?) 1820
My dearest Girl,
According to all appearances I am to be separated from you as much as possible.  How I shall be able to bear it, or whether it will not be worse than your presence now and then, I cannot tell.  I must be patient, and in the meantime you must think of it as little as possible.  Let me not longer detain you from going to Town - there may be no end to this emprisoning of you.  Perpaps you had better not come before tomorrow evening: send me however without fail a good night  You know our situation - what hope is there if I should be recoverd ever so soon - my very health with [for will] not suffer me to make any great exertion.  I am reccommended not even to read poetry much less write it.  I wish I had even a little hope.  I cannot say forget me - but I would mention that there are impossibilities in the world.  No more of this - I am not strong enough to be weaned - take no notice of it in your good night.  Happen what may I shall ever be my dearest Love
Your affectionate
J-K-

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February (?) 1820
My dearest Girl, how could it ever have been my wish to forget you?  how could I have said such a thing?  The utmost stretch my mind has been capable of was to endeavour to forget you for your own sake seeing what a change [for chance] there was of my remaining in a precarious state of health.  I would have borne it as I would bear death if fate was in that humour: but I should as soon think of choosing to die as to part from you.  Believe too my Love that our friends think and speak for the best, and if their best is not our best it is not their fault, When I am better I will speak with you at large on these subjects, if there is any occasion - I think there is none.  I am rather nervous to day perhaps from being a little recovered and suffering my mind to take little excursions beyond the doors and windows.  I take it for a good sign, but as it must not be encouraged you had better delay seeing me till tomorrow.  Do not take the trouble of writing much: merely send me my goodnight.  Remember me to your Mother and Margaret.  Your affectionate
J-K-

[专题]怀念济慈

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February (?) 1820
My dearest Fanny,
I read your note in bed last night, and that might be the reason of my sleeping so much better.  I th[i]nk Mr Brown is right in supposing you may stop too long with me, so very nervous as I am.  Send me every evening a written Good night.  If you come for a few minutes about six it may be the best time.  Should you ever fancy me too low-spirited I must warn you to ascbribe [for ascribe] it to the medicine I am at present taking which is of a nerve-shaking nature - I shall impute any depression I may experience to this cause.  I have been writing with a vile old pen the whole week, which is excessively ungallant.  The fault is in the Quill: I have mended it and still it is very much inclin';d tomake blind es.  However these last lines are in a much better style of penmanship thof [for though] a little disfigured by the smear of black currant jelly; which has made a little mark on one of the Pages of Brown';s Ben Jonson, the very best book he has.  I have lick';d it but it remains very purplue [for purple].  I did not know whether to say purple or blue, so in the mixture of the thought wrote purplue which may be an excellent name for a colour made up of those two, and would suit well to start next spring.  Be very careful of open doors and windows and going without your duffle grey  God bless you Love ! -
J. Keats-
P .S.  I am sitting in the back room - Remember me to your Mother -

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February (?) 1820
My dear Fanny,
Do not let your mother suppose that you hurt me by writing at night.  For some reason or other your last night';s note was not so treasureable as former ones.  I would fain that you call me Love still.  To see you happy and in high spirits is a great consolation to me - still let me believe that you are not half so happy as my restoration would make you.  I am nervous, I own, and may think myself worse than I really am; if so you must indulge me, and pamper with that sort of tenderness you have: manifested towards me in different Letters.  My sweet creature when I look back upon the pains and torments I have suffer';d for you from the day I left you to go to the Isle of Wight; the ecstasies in which I have pass';d some days and the miseries in their turn, I wonder the more at the Beauty which has kept up the spell so fervently.  When I send this round I shall be in the front parlour watching to see you show yourself for a minute in the garden.  How illness stands as a barrier betwixt me and you!  Even if I was well - I must make myself as good a Philosopher as possible.  Now I have had opportunities of passing nights anxious and awake I have found other thoughts intrude upon me.  "If I should die," said I to myself, "I have left no immortal work behind me -  nothing to make my friends proud of my memory - but I have lov';d the principle of beauty in all things, and if I had had time I would have made myself remember';d."   Thoughts like these came very feebly whilst I was in health and every pulse beat for you - now you divide with this (may I say it?) "last infirmity of noble minds" all my reflection.
God bless you, Love.
J. Keats.

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24 (?) February 1820
My dearest Girl,
Indeed I will not deceive you with respect to my Health.  This is the fact as far as I know.  I have been confined three weeks and am not yet well - this proves that there is something wrong about me which my constitution will either conquer or give way to - Let us hope for the best.  Do you hear the Th[r]ush singing over the field? I think it is a sign of mild weather - so much the better for me.  Like all Sinners now I am ill I philosophise aye out of my attachment to every thing, Trees, flowers, Thrushes Sp[ r]ing, Summer, Claret &c &c aye [e ]very thing but you - - my Sister would be glad of my company a little longer.  That Thrush - is a fine fellow I hope he was fortunate in his choice this year - Do not send any more of my Books home.  I have a great pleasure in the thought of you looking on them.
Ever yours
my sweet Fanny
J-K-

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27 (?) February 1820
My dearest Fanny,
I had a better night last night than I have had since my attack, and this morning I am the same as when you saw me.  I have been turning over two volumes of Letters written between Ro[u]sseau and two Ladies in the perplexed strain of mingled finesse and sentiment in which the Ladies and gentlemen of those days were so clever, and which is still prevalent among Ladies of this Country who live in a state of resoning romance.  The Likeness however only extends to the mannerism not to the dexterity.  What would Rousseau have said at seeing our little correspondence!  What would his Ladies have said!  I don';t care much - I would sooner have Shakspeare';s opinion about the matter.  The common gossiping of washerwomen must be less disgusting than the continual and eternal fence and attack of Rousseau and these sublime Petticoats.  One calls herself Clara and her friend Julia two of Ro[u]sseau';s Heroines - they all the same time christen poor Jean Jacques St Preux - who is the pure cavalier of his famous novel.  Thank God I am born in England with our own great Men before my eyes - Thank god that you are fair and can love me without being Letter-written and sentimentaliz';d into it - Mr Barry Cornwall  has sent me another Book, his first, with a polite note - I must do what I can to make him sensible of the esteem I have for his kindness.  If this north east would take a turn it would be so much the better for me. Good bye, my love, my dear love, my beauty-
love me for ever-
J-K-

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29 (?) February 1820
My dear Fanny,
I think you had better not make any long stay with me when Mr Brown is at home-wh[en]ever he goes out you may bring your work.  You will have a pleasant walk to day.  I shall see you pass.  I shall follow you with my eyes over the Heath.  Will you come towards evening instead of before dinner - when you are gone, ';t is past - if you do not come till the evening I have something to look forward to all day.  Come round to my window for a moment when you have read this.  Thank your Mother, for the preserves, for me.  The raspberry will be too sweet not having any acid; therefore as you are so good a girl I shall make you a present of it.  Good bye
My sweet Love!
J. Keats

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[B]Notes[/B]: In the second letter, Keats quotes from Isabella; he also refers to his offer to end their engagement because of his illness and Fanny';s refusal.  

[专题]怀念济慈

[B]To Fanny Keats, 8 February 1820[/B]

[B]Recipient[/B]:Fanny Keats (1803-1889) was Keats';s younger sister.Sent to live with their guardian Richard Abbey';s family, she was deliberately separated from her brothers.Abbey did not allow visits and even discouraged letters.  Nonetheless, Keats, always protective of his siblings, wrote often and visited when he could.But his illness prevented visits during his last months in England; he left for Italy without saying goodbye.In 1826, Fanny married a Spanish poet, Valentin Maria Llanos y Guieterrez, who had admired Keats and visited the poet just three days before his death.Fanny and her husband left England in 1833 and never returned.They lived in Italy from 1861-1864, where she became friendly with Joseph Severn.
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[b]Introduction[/b]:In this letter,Keats discusses his lingering illness as well as neighborhood activities.It is a light-hearted letter,typical of those sent to his sister.

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Wentworth Place - Tuesday Morn -
My dear Fanny,
I had a slight return of fever last night, which terminated favourably, and I am now tolerably well, though weak from small quantity of food to which I am obliged to confine myself: I am sure a mouse would starv[e] upon it.  Mrs Wylie came yesterday.  I have a very pleasant room for a sick person.  A Sopha bed is made up for me in the front Parlour which looks on to the grass plot as you remember Mrs Dilkes does.  How much more comfortable than a dull room up stairs, where one gets tired of the pattern of the bed curtains.  Besides I see all that passes - for instanc[e] now, this morning, if I had been in my own room I should not have seen the coals brought in.  On sunday between the hours of twelve and one I descried a Pot boy.  I conjectured it might be the one o';Clock beer-Old women with bobbins and red cloaks and unpresuming bonnets I see creeping about the heath. Gipseys after hare skins and silver spoons.  Then goes by a fellow with a wooden clock under his arm that strikes a hundred and more.  Then comes the old french emigrant (who has been very well to do in trance) whith his hands joined behind on his hips, and his face full of political schemes.  Then passes Mr David Lewis a very goodnatured, goodlooking old gentleman whas [for who] has been very kind to Tom and George and me.  As for those fellows the Brickmakers they are always passing to and fro.  I mus';n';t forget the two old maiden Ladies in well walk who have a Lap dog between them, that they are very anxious about.  It is a corpulent Little Beast whom it is necessary to coax along with an ivory-tipp';d cane.  Carlo our Neighbour Mrs Brawne';s dog and it meet sometimes.  Lappy thinks Carlo a devil of a fellow and so do his Mistresses.  Well they may - he would sweep ';em all down at a run; all for the Joke of it.  I shall desire him to peruse the fable of the Boys and the frogs: though he prefers the tongues and the Bones.  You shall hear from me again the day after tomorrow-
Your affectionate Brother
John Keats

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[B]Notes[/B]:Mrs Wylie was George Keats';s mother-in-law.Keats quotes from A Midsummer Night';s Dream.

[专题]怀念济慈

[b]To Fanny Keats, 14 February 1820[/b]

[B]Recipient[/B]:Fanny Keats (1803-1889) was Keats';s younger sister.Sent to live with their guardian Richard Abbey';s family, she was deliberately separated from her brothers.Abbey did not allow visits and even discouraged letters.  Nonetheless, Keats, always protective of his siblings, wrote often and visited when he could.  But his illness prevented visits during his last months in England; he left for Italy without saying goodbye.In 1826, Fanny married a Spanish poet,Valentin Maria Llanos y Guieterrez, who had admired Keats and visited the poet just three days before his death.Fanny and her husband left England in 1833 and never returned.They lived in Italy from 1861-1864, where she became friendly with Joseph Severn.
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[B]Introduction[/B]:In this letter, Keats mentions Fanny';s guardian Richard Abbey.

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Wentworth Place - Monday Morn -
My dear Fanny,
I am improving but very gradually and suspect it will be a long while before I shall be able to walk six miles - The Sun appears half inclined to shine; if he obliges us I shall take a turn in the garden this morning.  No one from Town has visited me since my last.  I have had so many presents of jam and jellies that they would reach side by side the length of the sideboard.  I hope I shall be well before it is all consumed.  I am vex';d that Mr Abbey will not allow you pocket money sufficient.  He has not behaved well - By detaining money from me and George when we most wanted it he has increased our expences.  In consequence of such delay George was obliged to take his voyage to england which will be £150 out of his Pocket.  I enclose you a Note - You shall hear from me again the day after tomorrow.
Your affectionate Brother
John

[专题]怀念济慈

[b]To J H Reynolds, 28 February 1820[/b]

[B]Recipient[/B]:John Hamilton Reynolds (1794-1852) met Keats at Leigh Hunt';s home in October 1816. Reynolds later introduced Keats to Charles Brown, James Rice, Benjamin Bailey, Charles Wentworth Dilke (among others), as well as his future publisher, John Taylor. Reynolds had dabbled in poetry himself but abandoned it for a career in law. He was a passionate advocate of Keats';s work and a devoted friend.  They discussed poetry and planned several works together.
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[b]Introduction[/b]:This letter illustrates Keats';s solicitude for others; in several letters, he cautions his friends to dress warmly, eat well, etc

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28 February 1820
My dear Reynolds,
I have been improving since you saw me: my nights are better which I think is a very encouraging thing.  You mention your cold in rather too slighting a manner - if you travel outside have some flannel aga[i]nst the wind - which I pope will not keep on at this rate when you are in the Packet boat.  Should it rain do not stop upon deck though the Passengers should vomit themselves inside out.  Keep under Hatches from all sort of wet.  I am pretty well provided with Books at present, when you return I may give you a commission or two -- Mr B. C. has sent me not only his Sicilian Story but yesterday his Dramatic Scenes - this is very polite and I shall do what I can to make him sensible I think so.  I confess they tease me - they are composed of Amiability the Seasons, the Leaves, the Moon &c. upon which he rings (according to Hunt';s expression) triple bob majors.  However that is nothing - I think he likes poetry for its own sake, not his.  I hope I shall soon bee well enough to proceed with my faries and set you about the notes on sundays and Stray-days - If I had been well enough I should have liked to cross the water with you.  Brown wishes you a pleasant voyage - Have fish for dinner at the sea ports, and dont forget a bottle of Claret.  You will not meet with so much to hate at Brussels as at Paris.  Remember me to all my friends.  If I were well enough I would paraphrase an ode of Horace';s for you, on your embarking in the seventy years ago style - the Packet will bear a comparison with a roman galley at any rate.
Ever yours affectionately
J. Keats

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[B]Notes[/B]:Mr B.C. was ';Barry Cornwall';,the pseudonym of Bryan Waller Procter (1787-1874).Keats refers to his own The Cap and Bells,which he never finished,and which Reynolds was supposed to write the notes.He also refers to his brothers'; disastrous 1817 visit to Paris.

[专题]怀念济慈

=)
我也喜欢阿！
草做的网球。andy那么喜欢wimbledon,我也那么喜欢wimbledon阿！
其实fanny这个名字啊，我们学校也有个女孩叫这个，不是什么好名字呐~
:12:
这几天的脑子是经济商业化的...痛阿...看点文学作品一点感觉都没有啊...
:14:

[专题]怀念济慈

毛茸茸的网球，像Andy毛茸茸的脑袋一样 =)
《网球》今年年历的质量大不如去年，无论是印刷、选图、比例还是纸张都如此。最受不了的是底下生硬难看的“鸿星尔克”广告。所以去年我甘愿为它把Raffaello的挂历取下来，今年却拿去送人了——送给一个为了上面的JC相片甘愿花20元去买一本他并不需要的书的痴情男生。男生噢！我真是服他 :24:
Fanny,嗯，的确有很尴尬的解释。但是碰巧，或者说不巧，Keats的母亲、妹妹和未婚妻都叫这个。Frances在当时应该是一个很流行的名字吧，好像现在的Tiffany,Heather,诸如此类。
提到经济商业化，啊，今天竟然被同学很不理解地问到“为什么喜欢读诗”！而我则疑惑她怎么那么着迷于成功商业人士的自传。她认为诗很空虚。空虚？现在的人究竟怎么了！虽然我并不是一个清心寡欲的人，我也希望能够赚到足够多的钱。但我清楚那只是我的谋生手段，不是全部，我还是赞成人要有一些美的追求的。而诗不正是直触心灵最美的体验吗？空虚的应该是我们自己吧。"All I can hear I me mine.All thru'; your life I me mine." =(
今天看到了一个有趣的主题，他们讨论Keats如果活着会喜欢怎样的音乐。Sarah McLachlan,Josh Groban,Enya...答案五花八门。最意外的是Led Zeppelin,呼呼，音乐是不错，可是我想象不出来那样的情景。竟然有人说Kenny G,我才不信Keats的品味是这样的。最符合我想法的答案是Nick Drake.他们的气质确有相仿的地方，Drake有一种诗人的情怀。比较不错的还有Jeff Buckley和Bob Dylan.但我感觉前者Shelley会更喜欢一点，这种感觉仅仅来源于他们生命结束地点与年龄上的巧合。而后者无疑更对Rimbaud的胃口。呵呵。想起这样的事情来觉得很有意思。诗与歌原本就是相通的呀。
把签名头像头衔全部换掉了，作为督促，防止自己半途而废的坏习惯。那面旗子舍不得换，算是保留一点对那个美丽国家与可爱民族的热爱——话说回来，在其他论坛上一个纪念Van Gogh的帖子就被我弃置在一半处，沉了底，我不好意思再顶上来，为了我没有兑现的承诺。我打算明年的那个时候弥补过错——总之，即使没人在乎，自己做事情的热情可千万不要消失。我希望在我生日那天完成，那将是多么美丽的礼物，for both birthday and Christmas.

[专题]怀念济慈

[B]To Fanny Brawne, March 1820 collection[/B]
[QUOTE]';My Mind has been the most discontented and restless one that ever was put into a body too small for it.';
';I fear I am too prudent for a dying kind of Lover. Yet, there is a great difference between going off in warm blood like Romeo, and making one';s exit like a frog in a frost - ';[/QUOTE]

[B]Recipient[/B]:Fanny Brawne (1800-1865) was first Keats';s neighbor and later his fiancée.The eldest child of a widowed mother, she at first perplexed and exasperated the poet.They fell in love, though Keats';s friends were against the match.
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[B]Introduction[/B]:Keats';s letters to Fanny Brawne are among the most famous love letters ever written. As next door neighbors,they exchanged numerous short notes, and occasionally more passionate ones.None of Fanny';s letters to Keats survive.From his, however, it seems he was often unsettled by her behavior and uncertain of her affection.His illness brought them closer; when he left for Rome, they were engaged and deeply in love.
The following letters are a series written in March 1820.

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March (?) 1820
Sweetest Fanny,
You fear, sometimes, I do not love you so much as you wish? My dear Girl I love you ever and ever and without reserve. The more I have known you the more have I lov';d. In every way - even my jealousies have been agonies of Love, in the hottest fit I ever had I would have died for you. I have vex';d you too much. But for Love! Can I help it? You are always new. The last of your kisses was ever the sweetest; the last smile the brightest; the last movement the gracefullest. When you pass';d my window .home yesterday, I was fill';d with as much admiration as if I had then seen you for the first time. You uttered a half complaint once that I only lov';d your Beauty. Have I nothing else then to love in you but that? Do not I see a heart naturally furnish';d with wings imprison itself with me? No ill prospect has been able .to turn your thoughts a moment from me. This perhaps should be as much a subject of sorrow as joy - but I will not talk of that. Even if you did not love me I could not help an entire devotion to you: how much more deeply then must I feel for you knowing you love me. My Mind has been the most discontented and restless one that ever was put into a body too small for it. I never felt my Mind repose upon anything with complete and undistracted enjoyment - upon no person but you. When you are in the room my thoughts never fly out of window: you always concentrate my whole senses. The anxiety shown about our Loves in your last note is an immense pleasure to me: however you must not suffer such speculations to molest you any more: nor will I any more believe you can have the least pique against me. Brown is gone out - but here is Mrs. Wylie - when she is gone I shall be awake for you. - Remembrances to your Mother.
Your affectionate
J. Keats.

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March (?) 1820
My dear Fanny,
I am much better this morning than I was a week ago: indeed I improve a little every day. I rely upon taking a walk with you upon the first of may: in the mean time undergoing a babylonish captivity I shall not be jew enough to hang up my harp upon a willow, but rather endeavour to clear up my arrears in versifying and with returning health begin upon something new: pursuant to which resolution it will be necessary to have my or rather Tavlor';s manuscript, which you, if you please, will send by my Messenger either to day or tomorrow. Is Mr D with you today? You appear';d very much fatigued last night: you must look a little brighter this morning. I shall not suffer my little girl ever to be obscured like glass breath';d upon but always bright as it is her nature to. Feeding upon sham victuals and sitting by the fire will completely annul me. I have no need of an enchanted wax figure to duplicate me for I am melting in my proper person before the fire. If you meet with any thing better (worse) than common in your Magazines let me see it.
Good bye my
sweetest Girl
J- K-

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March (?) 1820
My dearest Fanny, I slept well last night and am no worse this morning for it. Day by day if I am not deceived I get a more unrestrain';d use of my Chest. The nearer a racer gets to the Goal the more his anxiety becomes so I lingering upon the borders of health feel my impatience increase. Perhaps on your account I have imagined my illness more serious than it is: how horrid was the chance of slipping into the ground instead of into your arms - the difference is amazing Love - Death must come at last; Man must die, as Shallow says; but before that is my fate I feign would try what more pleasures than you have given so sweet a creature as you can give. Let me have another op[p]ortunity of years before me and I will not die without being remember';d. Take care of yourself dear that we may both be well in the Summer. I do not at all fatigue myself with writing, having merely to put a line or two here and there, a Task which would worry a stout state of the body and mind, but which just suits me as I can do no more.
Your affectionate
J.K-

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March (?) 1820
My dearest Fanny,Though I shall see you in so short a time I cannot forbear sending you a few lines. You say I did not give you yesterday a minute account of my health. To-day I have left off the Medicine which I took to keep the pulse down and I find I can do very well without it, which is a very favourable sign, as it shows there is no inflammation remaining. You think I may be wearied at night you say: it is my best time; I am at my best about eight o';Clock. I received a Note from Mr. Proctor today. He says he cannot pay me a visit this weather as he is fearful of an inflammation in the Chest. What a horrid climate this is? or what careless inhabitants it has? You are one of them. My dear girl do not make a joke of it: do not expose yourself to the cold. There';s the Thrush again - I can';t afford it - he';ll run me up a pretty Bill for Music-besides he ought to know I deal at Clementi';s. How can you bear so long an imprisonment at Hampstead? I shall always remember it with all the gusto that a monopolizing carle should. I could build an Altar to you for it.
Your affectionate
J.K.


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March (?) 1820
My dearest Girl,
In consequence of our company I suppose I shall not see you before tomorrow. I am much better to day - indeed all I have to complain of is want of strength and a little tightness in the Chest. I envied Sam';s walk with you to day; which I will not do again as I may get very tired of envying. I imagine you now sitting in your new black dress which I like so much and if I were a little less selfish and more enthousiastic I should run round and surprise you with a knock at the door. I fear I am too prudent for a dying kind of Lover. Yet, there is a great difference between going off in warm blood like Romeo, and making one';s exit like a frog in a frost - I had nothing particular to say to day, but not intending that there shall be any interruption to our correspondence (which at some future time I propose offering to Murray) I write something I God bless you my sweet Love Illness is a long lane, but I see you at the end of it, and shall mend my pace as well as possible
J-K

[专题]怀念济慈

[B]To John Taylor, 11 June 1820[/B]

[B]Recipient[/B]:John Taylor (1781-1864) was Keats';s publisher and friend.  He provided financial assistance for Keats';s journey to Rome and briefly considered writing a biography of the poet after his death.
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[B]Introduction[/B]:This letter is typical of Keats';s short notes to his publisher.  In it, he discusses revisions to The Eve of St Agnes.

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My dear Taylor,
In reading over the proof of St. Agnes'; Eve since I left Fleet street I was struck with what appears to me an alteration in the 7th Stanza very much for the worse the passage I mean stands thus
"her maiden eyes incline Still on the floor, while many a sweeping train Pass by--"
Twas originally written
"her maiden eyes divine Fix';d on the floor saw many a sweeping train Pass by--
My meaning is quite destroyed in the alteration. I do not use train for concourse of passers by but for [Skits is crossed out by Keats] Skirts sweeping along the floor.
In the first Stanza my copy reads--2nd line
"bitter chill it was"
to avoid the echo cold in the next line.
ever yours sincerely
John Keats

[专题]怀念济慈

[B]To Percy Bysshe Shelley, 16 August 1820[/B]
[QUOTE]'; - I am pick';d up and sorted to a pip.
My Imagination is a Monastry and I am its Monk - ';[/QUOTE]

[B]Recipient[/B]:Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822), poet, atheist, nobleman and exile, was an early champion of Keats';s work.  They were introduced by Leigh Hunt, whose politics were already alienating Keats.  Interestingly, Shelley was critical of Hunt';s influence upon Keats';s work; he believed Keats to be a natural talent led astray by mannerisms and affectation.
Upon learning of Keats';s illness, Shelley graciously asked him to stay with his family in Italy.  The poet politely refused.  Shelley wrote the beautiful elegy Adonais upon Keats';s death.  The next year, Shelley himself drowned; a volume of Keats';s poetry was found in his pocket.

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I think Shelley';s opinion can best be described in his own words, from a letter he wrote to Marianne Hunt on 29 October 1820 regarding Keats';s latest work, Hyperion:
[QUOTE]';Keats'; new volume has arrived to us, & the fragment called Hyperion promises for him that he is destined to become one of the first writers of the age. - His other things are imperfect enough....  Where is Keats now?  I am anxiously expecting him in Italy where I shall take care to bestow every possible attention on him.  I consider his a most valuable life, & I am deeply interested in his safety.  I intend to be the physician both of his body & his soul, to keep the one warm & to teach the other Greek & Spanish.  I am aware indeed that I am nourishing a rival who will far surpass me and this is an additional motive & will be an added pleasure.';[/QUOTE]

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[B]Introduction[/B]:This interesting letter is a reply to Shelley';s literary advice and kind offer of his home in Italy for Keats';s recuperation.

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Hampstead
August 16th
My dear Shelley,
I am very much gratified that you, in a foreign country, and with a mind almost over occupied, should write to me in the strain of the Letter beside me.  If I do not take advantage of your invitation it will be prevented by a circumstance I have very much at heart to prophesy - There is no doubt that an english winter would put an end to me, and do so in a lingering hateful manner, therefore I must either voyage or journey to Italy as a soldier marches up to a battery.  My nerves at present are the worst part of me, yet they feel soothed when I think that come what extreme may, I shall not be destined to remain in one spot long enough to take a hatred of any four particular bed-posts.  I am glad you take any pleasure in my poor Poem; - which I would willingly take the trouble to unwrite, if possible, did I care so much as I have done about Reputation. I received a copy of the Cenci, as from yourself from Hunt.  There is only one part of it I am judge of; the Poetry, and dramatic effect, which by many spirits nowadays is considered the mammon.  A modern work it is said must have a purpose, which may be the God - an artist must serve Mammon - he must have "self concentration" selfishness perhaps.  You I am sure will forgive me for sincerely remarking that you might curb your magnanimity and be more of an artist, and ';load every rift'; of your subject with ore.  The thought of such discipline must fall like cold chains upon you, who perhaps never sat with your wings furl';d for six Months together.  And is not this extraordina[r]y talk for the writer of Endymion? whose mind was like a pack of scattered cards - I am pick';d up and sorted to a pip.  My Imagination is a Monastry and I am its Monk - you must explain my metap [for metaphysics] to yourself.  I am in expectation of Prometheus every day.  Could I have my own wish for its interest effected you would have it still in manuscript - or be but now putting an end to the second act.  I remember you advising me not to publish my first-blights, on Hampstead heath - I am returning advice upon your hands.  Most of the Poems in the volume I send you have been written above two years, and would never have been publish';d but from a hope of gain; so you see I am inclined enough to take your advice now.  I must exp[r]ess once more my deep sense of your kindness, adding my sincere thanks and respects for Mrs Shelley.  In the hope of soon seeing you (I) remain
most sincerely yours,
John Keats

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[B]Notes[/B]:Shelley had advised Keats to not publish Endymion.

[专题]怀念济慈

[B]To Fanny Keats, 11 September 1820[/B]

[B]Recipient[/B]:Fanny Keats (1803-1889) was Keats';s younger sister.  Sent to live with their guardian Richard Abbey';s family, she was deliberately separated from her brothers.  Abbey did not allow visits and even discouraged letters.  Nonetheless, Keats, always protective of his siblings, wrote often and visited when he could.  But his illness prevented visits during his last months in England; he left for Italy without saying goodbye.  In 1826, Fanny married a Spanish poet, Valentin Maria Llanos y Guieterrez, who had admired Keats and visited the poet just three days before his death.  Fanny and her husband left England in 1833 and never returned.  They lived in Italy from 1861-1864, where she became friendly with Joseph Severn.
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[B]Introduction[/B]:This letter was dictated by Keats to Fanny Brawne.  He was not able to visit his sister before leaving for Italy.

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11 September 1820
Monday Morn
My dear Fanny
In the hope of entirely re-establishing my health I shall leave England for Italy this week and, of course I shall not be able to see you before my departure. It is not illness that prevents me from writing but as I am recommended to avoid every sort of fatigue I have accepted the assistance of a friend, who I have desired to write to you when I am gone and to communicate any intelligence she may hear of me. I am as well as I can expect and feel very impatient to get on board as the sea air is expected to be of great benefit to me. My present intention is to stay some time at Naples and then to proceed to Rome where I shall find several  friends or at least several acquaintances. At any rate it will be a relief to quit this cold; wet, uncertain climate. I am not very fond of living in cities but there will be too much to amuse me, as soon as I am well enough to go out, to make me feel dull. I have received your parcel and intend to take it with me. You shall hear from me as often as possible, if I feel too tired to write myself I shall have some friend to do it for me; I have not yet heard from George nor can I expect to receive any letters from him before I leave
Your affectionate brot(her)
John-

[专题]怀念济慈

[这个贴子最后由Aimita在 2004/12/02 01:38am 第 1 次编辑]

[B]To Charles Brown, 30 September 1820[/B]
[quote] ';Is there another Life? Shall I awake and find all this a dream? There must be we cannot be created for this sort of suffering.';[/quote]

[B]Recipient[/B]:Charles Brown (1787-1842) was Keats';s closest friend.  They met in the summer of 1817 and went on a walking holiday of Scotland together.  Keats moved into Brown';s home at Wentworth Place after Tom Keats';s death.  Brown illegally married their Irish housekeeper (with whom he had an illegitimate son) in late 1819 and left on a solitary holiday to Scotland in May 1820.  He and Keats never met again, though the poet hoped that Brown would accompany him to Italy.  Brown emigrated to New Zealand in 1841 and died a year later.
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[B]Introduction[/B]:Keats incorrectly dated this letter 28 September.  It was written on board the Maria Cowther.  Joseph Severn, Keats';s traveling companion, was writing to friends as well and confessing his worry over Keats';s state of mind.  
Keats';s final letters to Charles Brown reveal the depression and grief he experienced over leaving Fanny Brawne, and the hopelessness of his physical condition.

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Saturday Septr 28 [for 30]
Maria Crowther
off Yarmouth isle
of wight -
My dear Brown,
The time has not yet come for a pleasant Letter from me. I have delayed writing to you from time to time because I felt how impossible it was to enliven you with one heartening hope of my recovery; this morning in bed the matter struck me in a different manner; I thought I would write "while I was in some liking" or I might become too ill to write at all and then if the desire to have written should become strong it would be a great affliction to me. I have many more Letters to write and I bless my stars that I have begun, for time seems to press, - this may be my best opportunity. We are in a calm and I am easy enough this morning. If my spirits seem too low you may in some degree impute it to our having been at sea a fortmight [for fortnight] without making any way. I was very disappointed at not meeting you at bedhamption [for Bedhampton], and am very provoked at the thought of you being at Chichester to day. I should have delighted in setting off for London for the sensation merely - for what should I do there? I could not leave my lungs or stomach or other worse things behind me. I wish to write on subjects that will not agitate me much - there is one I must mention and have done with it. Even if my body would recover of itself, this would prevent it - The very thing which I want to live most for will be a great occasion of my death. I cannot help it Who can help it? Were I in health it would make me ill, and how can I bear it in my state? I dare say you will be able to guess on what subject I am harping - you know what was my greatest pain during the first part of my illness at your house. I wish for death every day and night to deliver me from these pains, and then I wish death away, for death would destroy even those pains which are better than nothing. Land and Sea, weakness and decline are great seperators, but death is the great divorcer for ever. When the pang of this thought has passed through my mind, I may say the bitterness of death is passed. I  often wish for you that you might flatter me with the best. I think  without my mentioning it for my sake you would be a friend to Miss Brawne when I am dead. You think she has many faults - but, for my sake, think she has not one -- if there is any thing you can do for her by word or deed I know you will do it. I am in a state at present in which woman merely as woman can have no more power over me than stocks and stones, and yet the difference of my sensations with respect to Miss Brawne and my Sister is amazing. The one seems to absorb the other to a degree incredible. I seldom think of my Brother and Sister in america. The thought of leaving Miss Brawne is beyond every thing horrible - the sense of darkness coming over me - I eternally see her figure eternally vanishing. Some of the phrases shr was in the habit of using during my last nursing at Wen(t)worth place ring in my ears - Is there another Life? Shall I awake and find all this a dream? There must be we cannot be created for this sort of suffering. The receiving of this letter is to be one of yours - I will say nothing about our friendship or rather yours to me more than that as you deserve to escape you will never be so unhappy as I am. I should think of you in my last moments. I shall endeavour to write to Miss Brawne if possible to day. A sudden stop to my life in the middle of one of these Letters would be no bad thing for it keeps one in a sort of fever awhile. Though fatigued with a Letter longer than any I have written for a .long while it would be better to go on for ever than awake to a sense of contrary winds. We expect to put into Portland roads to night. The Captn the Crew and the Passengers are all illtemper';d and weary. I shall write to dilke. I feel as if I was closing my last letter to you - My dear Brown -
Your affectionate friend
John Keats


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[b]Notes[/b]:This famous letter was once used to argue that Keats';s death was hastened by his feelings for Fanny Brawne.

[专题]怀念济慈

[B]To Charles Brown, 1 November 1820[/B]
[QUOTE]';O, that something fortunate had ever happened to me or my brothers! - then I might hope, - but despair is forced upon me as a habit.';[/quote]

[B]Recipient[/b]:Charles Brown (1787-1842) was Keats';s closest friend.  They met in the summer of 1817 and went on a walking holiday of Scotland together.  Keats moved into Brown';s home at Wentworth Place after Tom Keats';s death.  Brown illegally married their Irish housekeeper (with whom he had an illegitimate son) in late 1819 and left on a solitary holiday to Scotland in May 1820.  He and Keats never met again, though the poet hoped that Brown would accompany him to Italy.  Brown emigrated to New Zealand in 1841 and died a year later.
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[b]Introduction[/b]:This is another emotional letter to Brown, written just after the Maria Cowther was released from quarantine in Naples. Keats writes, ';If I had any chance of recovery, this passion would kill me.'; His obvious physical and emotional turmoil worried his companion, Joseph Severn, who also wrote letters to their friends in England.  

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Naples. Wednesday first in November.
My dear Brown,
Yesterday we were let out of Quarantine, during which my health suffered more from bad air and a stifled cabin than it had done the whole voyage. The fresh air revived me a little, and I hope I am well enough this morning to write to you a short calm letter; - if that can be called one, in which I am afraid to speak of what I would the fainest dwell upon. As I have gone thus far into it, I must go on a little; - perhaps it may relieve the load of WRETCHEDNESS which presses upon me. The persuasion that I shall see her no more will kill me. I cannot q---- My dear Brown, I should have had her when I was in health, and I should have remained well. I can bear to die - I cannot bear to leave her. Oh, God I God! God I Every thing I have in my trunks that reminds me of her goes through me like a spear. The silk lining she put in my travelling cap scalds my head. My imagination is horribly vivid about her - I see her - I hear her. There is nothing in the world of sufficient interest to divert me from her a moment. This was the case when I was in England; I cannot recollect, without shuddering, the time that I was prisoner at Hunt';s, and used to keep my eyes fixed on Hampstead all day. Then there was a good hope of seeing her again - Now! - O that I could be buried near where she lives! I am afraid to write to her - to receive a letter from her - to see her hand writing would break my heart - even to hear of her any how, to see her name written would be more than I can bear. My dear Brown, what am I to do? Where can I look for consolation or ease? If I had any chance of recovery, this passion would kill me. Indeed through the whole of my illness, both at your house and at Kentish Town, this fever has never ceased wearing me out. When you write to me, which you will do immediately, write to Rome (poste restante) - if she is well and happy, put a mark thus + , - if - Remember me to all. I will endeavour to bear my miseries patiently. A person in my state of health should not have such miseries to bear. Write a short note to my sister, saying you have heard from me. Severn is very well. If I were in better health I should urge your coming to Rome. I fear there is no one can give me any comfort. Is there any news of George? O, that something fortunate had ever happened to me or my brothers! - then I might hope, - but despair is forced upon me as a habit. My dear Brown, for my sake, be her advocate for ever. I cannot say a word about Naples; I do not feel at all concerned in the thousand novelties around me. I am afraid to write to her. I should like her to know that I do not forget her. Oh, Brown, I have coals of fire in my breast.. It surprised me that the human heart is capable of containing and bearing so much misery. Was I born for this end? God bless her, and her mother, and my sister, and George, and his wife, and you, and all !
Your ever affectionate friend,
John Keats.
Thursday. I was a day too early for the courier. He sets out now. I have been more calm to-day, though in a half dread of not continuing so. I said nothing of my health; I know nothing of it; you will hear Severn';s account from x x x x . I must leave off.  You bring my thoughts too near to ----
God bless you !

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[B]Notes[/B]: The Xs in the postscript represent William Haslam';s name.  Charles Brown (or a later copyist) crossed out many of the names in Keats';s letters.

[专题]怀念济慈

[b]To Charles Brown, 30 November 1820[/b]
[quote]';There is one thought enough to kill me - I have been well, healthy, alert &c, walking with her - and now - the knowledge of contrast, feeling for light and shade, all that information (primitive sense) necessary for a poem are great enemies to the recovery of the stomach.';[/quote]

[b]Recipient[/b]:Charles Brown (1787-1842) was Keats';s closest friend.  They met in the summer of 1817 and went on a walking holiday of Scotland together.  Keats moved into Brown';s home at Wentworth Place after Tom Keats';s death.  Brown illegally married their Irish housekeeper (with whom he had an illegitimate son) in late 1819 and left on a solitary holiday to Scotland in May 1820. He and Keats never met again, though the poet hoped that Brown would accompany him to Italy.  Brown emigrated to New Zealand in 1841 and died a year later.
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[b]Introduction[/b]: This is Keats';s last surviving letter.He died on Friday, 23 February 1821,around 11:00 pm.
Keats';s companion, Joseph Severn, also wrote numerous letters to their friends in England; click here to read a selection.  They are the definitive account of Keats';s final months.

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Rome. 30 November 1820.
My dear Brown,
';Tis the most difficult thing in the world to me to write a letter. My stomach continues so bad, that I feel it worse on opening any book, - yet I am much better than I was in Quarantine. Then I am afraid to encounter the proing and conning of any thing interesting to me in England. I have an habitual feeling of my real life having past, and that I am leading a posthumous existence. God knows how it would have been - but it appears to me - however, I will not speak of that subject. I must have been at Bedhampton nearly at the time you were writing to me from Chichester - how unfortunate - and to pass on the river too! There was my star predominant! I cannot answer any thing in your letter, which followed me from Naples to Rome, because I am afraid to look it over again. I am so weak (in mind) that I cannot bear the sight of any hand writing of a friend I love so much as I do you. Yet I ride the little horse, - and, at my worst, even in Quarantine, summoned up more puns, in a sort of desperation, in one week than in any year of. my life. There is one thought enough to kill me - I have been well, healthy, alert &c, walking with her - and now - the knowledge of contrast, feeling for light and shade, all that information (primitive sense) necessary for a poem are great enemies to the recovery of the stomach. There, you rogue, I put you to the torture, - but you must bring your philosophy to bear - as I do mine, really - or how should I be able to live? Dr Clarke is very attentive to me; he says, there is very little the matter with my lungs, but my stomach, he says is very bad. I am well disappointed in hearing good news from George, - for it runs in my head we shall all die young. I have not written to x x x x x yet, which he must think very neglectful; being anxious to send him a good account of my health, I have delayed it from week to week. If I recover, I will do all in my power to correct the mistakes made during sickness; and if I should not, all my faults will be forgiven. I shall write to x x x to-morrow, or next day. I will write to x x x x x in the middle of next week. Servern is very well, though he leads so dull a life with me. Remember me to all friends, and tell x x x x I should not have left London without taking leave of him, but from being so low in body and mind. Write to George as soon as you receive this, and tell him how I am, as far as you can guess; - and also a note to my sister - who walks about my imagination like a ghost - she is so like Tom. I can scarcely bid you good bye even in a letter. I always made an awkward bow.
God bless you !
John Keats.

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[B]Notes[/B]: The Xs in the letter represent names marked out by Brown or a later copyist.