Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

was, consequently a little less of a versifying Pet-lamb. I have put no more in Print or you should have had it. You will judge of my 1819 temper when I tell you that the thing I have most enjoyed this year has been writing an ode to Indolence. Why did you not make your long-haired sister put her great brown hard fist to paper and cross your Letter? Tell her when you write again that I expect chequer work My friend Mr. Brown is sitting opposite me employed in writing a Life of David. He reads me passages as he writes them stuffing my infidel mouth as though I were Infidel Rooks do not proa young rook vender with Elisha's Ravens. If he goes on as he has begun your new Church had better not proceed, for parsons will be superseeded (sic)—and of course the Clerks must follow. Give my love to your Mother with the assurance that I can never forget her anxiety for my Brother Tom. Believe also that I shall ever remember our leavetaking with you.

[ocr errors]

Ever sincerely yours,

JOHN KEATS.

108. TO FANNY KEATS

Wentworth Place [June 9, 1819]. MY DEAR FANNY - I shall be with you next Monday at the farthest. I could not keep my promise of seeing you again in a week because I am in so unsettled a state of mind about what I am to do- I have given up the Idea of the Indiaman; I cannot resolve to give up my favorite studies : so I purpose to retire into the Country and set my Mind at work once more. A Friend of Mine [James Rice] who has an ill state of health called on me yesterday and proposed to spend a little time with him at the back of the Isle of Wight where he said we might live very cheaply. I agreed to his proposal. I have taken a great dislike to Town- I never go there - some one is always calling on me and as we have spare beds they often stop a couple of days. I have written lately to some acquaintances

in Devonshire concerning a cheap Lodging and they have been very kind in letting me know all I wanted. They have described a pleasant place which I think I shall eventually retire to. How came you on with my young Master Yorkshire Man? Did not Mrs. A. sport her Carriage and one? They really surprised me with super civility - how did Mrs. A. manage it? How is the old tadpole gardener and little Master next door? it is to be hop'd they will both die some of these days. Not having been to Town I have not heard whether Mr. A. purposes to retire from business. Do let me know if you have heard anything more about it. If he should not I shall be very disappointed. If any one deserves to be put to his shifts it is that Hodgkinson — as for the other he would live a long time upon his fat and be none the worse for a good long lent. How came miledi to give one Lisbon wine · had she drained the Gooseberry? Truly I cannot delay making another visit - asked to take Lunch, whether I will have ale, wine, take sugar, -objection to green — like cream thin bread and butter-another cup-agreeable — enough sugar - little more cream - too weak - 12 shillin etc. etc. etc. - Lord I must come again. We are just going to Dinner I must must [sic] with this to the Post

[ocr errors]

[ocr errors]

Your affectionate Brother

[merged small][ocr errors]

109. TO JAMES ELMES 51

-

Wentworth Place, Hampstead [June 12, 1819].

SIR-I did not see your Note till this Saturday evening, or I should have answered it sooner However as it happens I have but just received the Book which contains the only copy of the verses in question. I have asked for it repeatedly ever since I promised Mr. Haydon and could not help the delay; which I regret. The verses can be struck out in no time, and will I hope be quite in time. If you

think it at all necessary a proof may be forwarded; but as I shall transcribe it fairly perhaps there may be no need. I am, Sir, your obed* Serv

JOHN KEATS.

110. TO FANNY KEATS

Wentworth Place, [June 14, 1819]. MY DEAR FANNY I cannot be with you to-day for two reasons 1' I have my sore-throat coming again to prevent my walking. 2 I do not happen just at present to be flush of silver so that I might ride. To-morrow I am engaged· but the day after you shall see me. Mr. Brown is waiting for me as we are going to Town together, so good-bye.

Your affectionate Brother

111. TO THE SAME

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

JOHN.

Wentworth Place [June 16, 1819]. MY DEAR FANNY Still I cannot afford to spend money by Coachhire and still my throat is not well enough to warrant my walking. I went yesterday to ask Mr. Abbey for some money; but I could not on account of a Letter he showed me from my Aunt's solicitor. You do not understand the business. I trust it will not in the end be detrimental to you. I am going to try the Press once more, and to that end shall retire to live cheaply in the country and compose myself and verses as well as I can. I have very good friends ready to help me

and I am the more bound to be careful of the money they lend me. It will all be well in the course of a year I hope. I am confident of it, so do not let it trouble you at all. Mr. Abbey showed me a Letter he had received from George containing the news of the birth of a Niece for us and all doing well-he said he would take it to youso I suppose to-day you will see it. I was preparing to enquire for a situation with an apothecary, but Mr. Brown persuades me to try the press once more;

[ocr errors]

one.

so I will with all my industry and ability. Mr. Rice a friend of mine in ill health has proposed retiring to the back of the Isle of Wight - which I hope will be cheap in the summer -I am sure it will in the winter. Thence you shall frequently hear from me in the Letters I will copy those lines I may write which will be most pleasing to you in the confidence you will show them to no I have not run quite aground yet I hope, having written this morning to several people to whom I have lent money requesting repayment. I shall henceforth shake off my indolent fits, and among other reformation be more diligent in writing to you, and mind you always answer me. I shall be obliged to go out of town on Saturday and shall have no money till to-morrow, so I am very sorry to think I shall not be able to come to Walthamstow. The Head Mr. Severn did of me is now too dear, but here inclosed is a very capital Profile done by Mr. Brown. I will write again on Monday or Tuesday - Mr. and Mrs. Dilke are well.

Your affectionate Brother JOHN

[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]

Thursday Morning [June 17, 1819]. MY DEAR HAYDON I know you will not be prepared for this, because your Pocket must needs be very low having been at ebb tide so long: but what can I do? mine is lower. I was the day before yesterday much in want of Money: but some news I had yesterday has driven me into necessity. I went to Abbey's for some Cash, and he put into my hand a letter from my Aunt's Solicitor containing the pleasant information that she was about to file a Bill in Chancery against us. Now in case of a defeat Abbey will be very undeservedly in the wrong box; so I could not ask him for any more money, nor can I till the affair is decided; and if it goes against him I must in conscience make over to him

what little he may have remaining. My purpose is now to make one more attempt in the Press if that fail, 'ye hear no more of me' as Chaucer says. Brown has lent me some money for the present. Do borrow or beg somehow what you can for me. Do not suppose I am at all uncomfortable about the matter in any other way than as it forces me to apply to the needy. I could not send you those lines, for I could not get the only copy of them before last Saturday evening. I sent them Mr. Elmes on Monday. I saw Monkhouse on Sunday - he told me you were getting on with the Picture. I would have come over to you to-day, but I am fully employed. JOHN KEATS.

Yours ever sincerely

113. TO FANNY BRAWNE

Shanklin, Isle of Wight, Thursday,

[Postmark, Newport, July 3, 1819]. MY DEAREST LADY-I am glad I had not an opportunity of sending off a Letter which I wrote for you on Tuesday night — 't was too much like one out of Rousseau's Heloise. I am more reasonable this morning. The morning is the only proper time for me to write to a beautiful Girl whom I love so much: for at night, when the lonely day has closed, and the lonely, silent, unmusical Chamber is waiting to receive me as into a Sepulchre, then believe me my passion gets entirely the sway, then I would not have you see those Rhapsodies which I once thought it impossible I should ever give way to, and which I have often laughed at in another, for fear you should [think me] either too unhappy or perhaps a little mad. I am now at a very pleasant Cottage window, looking onto a beautiful hilly country, with a glimpse of the sea; the morning is very fine. I do not know how elastic my spirit might be, what pleasure I might have in living here and breathing and wandering as free as a stag about this beautiful Coast if the remembrance of you did not weigh so upon me. I have

[ocr errors]

I

never known any unalloy'd Happiness for many days together: the death or sickness of some one has always spoilt my hours and now when none such troubles oppress me, it is you must confess very hard that another sort of pain should haunt me. Ask yourself my love whether you are not very cruel to have so entrammelled me, so destroyed my freedom. Will you confess this in the Letter you must write immediately and do all you can to console me in it — make it rich as a draught of poppies to intoxicate me I write the softest words and kiss them that I may at least touch my lips where yours have been. For myself I know not how to express my devotion to so fair a form : I want a brighter word than bright, a fairer word than fair. I almost wish we were butterflies and liv'd but three summer days-three such days with you could fill with more delight than fifty common years could ever contain. But however selfish I may feel, I am sure I could never act selfishly as I told you a day or two before I left Hampstead, I will never return to London if my Fate does not turn up Pam or at least a Court-card. Though I could centre my Happiness in you, I cannot expect to engross your heart so entirely indeed if I thought you felt as much for me as I do for you at this moment I do not think I could restrain myself from seeing you again tomorrow for the I must delight of one embrace. But no live upon hope and Chance. In case of the worst that can happen, I shall still love you but what hatred shall I have for another! Some lines I read the other day are continually ringing a peal ir my ears:

B

[ocr errors]

To see those eyes I prize above mine own
Dart favors on another-
And those sweet lips (yielding immortal nectar)
Be gently press'd by any but myse elf-
Think, think Francesca, what a c
It were beyond expression!

Lursed thing

Ia

ch

J.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

to

MY DEAR FANNY - I have just received another Letter from George - full of as good news as we can expect. I cannot inclose it to you as I could wish because it contains matters of Business to which I must for a Week to come have an immediate reference. I think I told you the purpose for which I retired to this place try the fortune of my Pen once more, and indeed I have some confidence in my success: but in every event, believe me my dear sister, I shall be sufficiently comfortable, as, if I cannot lead that life of competence and society I should wish, I have enough knowledge of my gallipots to ensure me an employment and maintenance. The Place I am in now I visited once before and a very pretty place it is were it not for the bad weather. Our window looks over house-tops and Cliffs onto the Sea, so that when the Ships sail past the Cottage chimneys you may take them for weathercocks. We have Hill and Dale, forest and Mead, and plenty of Lobsters. I was on the Portsmouth Coach the Sunday before last in that heavy shower- and I may say I went to Portsmouth by water. I got a little cold, and as it always flies to my throat I am a little out of sorts that way. There were on the Coach with me some common French people but very well behaved there was a woman amongst them to whom the poor Men in ragged coats were more

[ocr errors]

gallant than ever I saw gentleman to Lady at a Ball. When we got down to walk up hill one of them pick'd a rose, and on remounting gave it to the woman with 'Ma'mselle voila une belle rose !' I am so hard at work that perhaps I should not have written to you for a day or two if George's Letter had not diverted my attention to the interests and pleasure of those I love- and ever believe that when I do not behave punctually it is from a very necessary occupation, and that my silence is no proof of my not thinking of you, or that I want more than a gentle fillip to bring your image with every claim before me. You have never seen mountains, or I might tell you that the hill at Steephill is I think almost of as much consequence as Mount Rydal on Lake Winander. Bonchurch too

is a very delightful Place - - as I can see by the Cottages, all romantic - covered with creepers and honeysuckles, with roses and eglantines peeping in at the windows. Fit abodes for the People I guess live in them, romantic old maids fond of novels, or soldiers' widows with a pretty jointure - or any body's widows or aunts or anythings given to Poetry and a Piano-forte as far as in 'em lies - as people say. If I could play upon the Guitar I might make my fortune with an old song—and get two blessings at once -a Lady's heart and the Rheumatism. But I am almost afraid to

[ocr errors]

peep at those little windows - for a pretty window should show a pretty face, and as the world goes chances are against me. I am living with a very good fellow indeed, a Mr. Rice. He is unfortunately labouring under a complaint which has for some years been a burthen to him. This is a pain to me. He has a greater tact in speaking to people of the village than I have, and in those matters is a great amusement as well as good friend to me. He bought a ham the other day for says he 'Keats, I don't think a Ham is a wrong thing to have in a house.' Write to me, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, as soon as you can; for a Letter is

[blocks in formation]

MY SWEET GIRL-Your Letter gave me more delight than any thing in the world but yourself could do; indeed I am almost astonished that any absent one should have that luxurious power over my senses which I feel. Even when I am not thinking of you I receive your influence and a tenderer nature stealing upon me. All my thoughts, my unhappiest days and nights, have I find not at all cured me of my love of Beauty, but made it so intense that I am miserable that you are not with me: or rather breathe in that dull sort of patience that cannot be called Life. I never knew before, what such a love as you have made me feel, was; I did not believe in it; my Fancy was afraid of it, lest it should burn me up. But if you will fully love me, though there may be some fire, 't will not be more than we can bear when moistened and bedewed with Pleasures. You mention 'horrid people' and ask me whether it depend upon them whether I see you again. Do understand me, my love, in this. I have so much of you in my heart that I must turn Mentor when I see a chance of harm befalling you. I would never see any thing but Pleasure in your eyes, love on your lips, and Happiness in your steps. I would wish to see you among those amusements suitable to your inclinations and spirits; so that our loves might be a delight in the midst of Pleasures agreeable enough, rather than a resource from vexations and cares. But I doubt much, in case of the worst, whether I shall be philosopher enough to follow my own Lessons: if I saw my resolution give you a pain I could not. Why may I not speak of your Beauty, since without that I could never have lov'd you ? ← I cannot conceive any beginning of such

think

-

love as I have for you but Beauty. There may be a sort of love for which, without the least sneer at it, I have the highest respect and can admire it in others but it has not the richness, the bloom, the full form, the enchantment of love after my own heart. So let me speak of your Beauty, though to my own endangering; if you could be so cruel to me as to try elsewhere its Power. You say you are afraid I shall do not love me you in saying this you make me ache the more to be near you. I am at the diligent use of my faculties here, I do not pass a day without sprawling some blank verse or tagging some rhymes; and here I must confess, that (since I am on that subject) I love you the more in that I believe you have liked me for my own sake and for nothing else. I have met with women whom I really think would like to be married to a Poem and to be given away by a Novel. I have seen your Comet, and only wish it was a sign that poor Rice would get well whose illness makes him rather a melancholy companion: and the more so as to conquer his feelings and hide them from me, with a forc'd Pun. I kiss'd your writing over in the hope you had indulg'd me by leaving a trace of honey. What was your dream? Tell it me and I will tell you the interpretation thereof.

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
« AnteriorContinua »