Love letter 3
John Keats
Postmark: Newport, July 3, 1819
Shanklin, Isle of Wight, Thursday
My dearest Lady — I am glad I had not an opportunity of sending off a
Letter which I wrote for you on Tuesday night—'twas 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.
Coast if the remembrance of you did not weigh so upon me I
have 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—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 I 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
delight of one embrace.
But no—I must 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 in my ears:
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 myself—
Think, think Francesca, what a cursed thing
It were beyond expression!
J.
Do write immediately. There is no Post from this Place, so you must
address Post Office, Newport, Isle of Wight. I know before night I shall
curse myself for having sent you so cold a Letter; yet it is better to
do it as much in my senses as possible. Be as kind as the distance will
permit to your
Present my Compliments to your mother, my love to Margaret and best remembrances to your Brother—if you please so.
P.S. From me- today's letter is kind of special for me.I dedicate it to this wonderful boy who made me laugh so much last night, and who as a modern Prince Charming fitted ....my shoe :):)
For those of you who are interested in watching a beautiful movie on Sunday-the movie about this love, John Keats and his beloved is called "Bright star"
Няма коментари:
Публикуване на коментар