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Letters of John Keats to Fanny Brawne: Written in the years MDCCCXIX and MDCCCXX and now given from the original manuscripts — John Shaqi

Letters of John Keats to Fanny Brawne: Written in the years MDCCCXIX and MDCCCXX and now given from the original manuscriptsKeats, John

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Letters of John Keats to Fanny Brawne: Written in the years MDCCCXIX and MDCCCXX and now given from the original manuscripts

Name: Letters of John Keats to Fanny Brawne: Written in the years MDCCCXIX and MDCCCXX and now given from the original manuscripts
Author: Keats, John

Keats, John

Brawne, Fanny, 1800-1865 -- Correspondence; Keats, John, 1795-1821 -- Correspondence; Poets, English -- 19th century -- Correspondence

I have been hurried to town by a Letter from my brother George;
    it is not of the brightest intelligence. Am I mad or not?
    I came by the Friday night coach and have not yet been to
    Hampstead. Upon my soul it is not my fault. I cannot resolve
    to mix any pleasure with my days: they go one like another,
    undistinguishable. If I were to see you today it would
    destroy the half comfortable sullenness I enjoy at present
    into downright perplexities. I love you too much to venture
    to Hampstead, I feel it is not paying a visit, but venturing
    into a fire. _Que feraije?_ as the French novel writers say
    in fun, and I in earnest: really what can I do? Knowing well
    that my life must be passed in fatigue and trouble, I have
    been endeavouring to wean myself from you: for to myself alone
    what can be much of a misery? As far as they regard myself
    I can despise all events: but I cannot cease to love you.
    This morning I scarcely know what I am doing. I am going to
    Walthamstow. I shall return to Winchester tomorrow;[36] whence
    you shall hear from me in a few days. I am a Coward, I cannot
    bear the pain of being happy: ’tis out of the question: I must
    admit no thought of it.

                     Yours ever affectionately

                                                        JOHN KEATS.


VII.

                                                College Street.[37]

                                    [_Postmark_, 11 October, 1819.]

    My sweet Girl,

    I am living today in yesterday: I was in a complete fascination
    all day. I feel myself at your mercy. Write me ever so few
    lines and tell 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 against me last night, I felt it would
    be death to me if you had ever believed it—though against any
    one 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—’twould 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 ’tis not my pride,
    my vanity or any petty passion would torment me—really ’twould
    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!


VIII.

                                                 25 College Street.

                                    [_Postmark_, 13 October, 1819.]

    My dearest Girl,

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Letters of John Keats to Fanny Brawne: Written in the years MDCCCXIX and MDCCCXX and now given from the original manuscripts

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