Bright Star, would I were as steadfast as thou art–
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like Nature’s patient, sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth’s human shores,
Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors —
No — yet still stedfast, still unchangeable,
Pillow’d upon my fair love’s ripening breast,
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever — or else swoon to death.
I recently ventured to Hampstead, a little outside of the City of London, to visit Wentworth Place, or, as it is now known now as the Keats House. Poet John Keats lived at Wentworth Place for a brief time (1818-1820). It was during this time that Keats wrote some of his most famous poems, including ‘Ode to a Nightingale’ and it is also where he met, fell in love, and became engaged to Fanny Brawne. However, Keats’ and Brawnes’ relationship was short lived as Keats passed away at the age of 25 to Tuberculosis. Recently, a film was made by Jane Campion, Bright Star, chronicling the romance of both Keats and Brawne. Below is a closer look at Keats’ relationship with Brawne, in which Keats produced some of the most famous and romantic love letters ever written.
In 1818 Fanny Brawne lived with her mother and two younger siblings at Wentworth Place, having rented out rooms from a Mr. Brown. It was at Wentworth Place that the Brawne family met and became friends with those who were well acquainted with Keats, during a time in which Keats and Brown were away in Scotland. Although once returned from Scotland, and having just met Fanny Brawne, Keats’ thoughts were rather distracted as his brother, Tom, was dying of Tuberculosis. Keats remained at his brother’s side, until his passing on December 1st.
Grieved of his brother’s death, Fanny Brawne created a lively distraction for Keats. He became enamored of her beauty and her personality. It only took a short amount of time for Keats to become completely wrapped up in Fanny’s charms. In 1819, Keats began writing Fanny sonnets, praising her appearance and character, among which is the famous ‘Bright Star.’ It is during his time that Keats was with Fanny that his poetry matured, as he experienced a strong and powerful love. And despite the fact that Keats was poor and an unsuitable match for Fanny, Fanny couldn’t help but fall in love. But Keats was determined to make money through publishing his poetry in order to marry the woman that he loved.
In 1820, things took a turn for the worse, as Keats had his first lung hemorrhage. Brown took care of Keats diligently, attempting to keep Fanny away from Keats, as he did not like Brawne. Due to Keats’ financial woes, he was forced to move out of Wentworth Place. Although only a mile away from Hampstead, Keats could not bear the separation from Fanny, and Keats only continued to get worse. It was during this time that Keats published a book of his poetry to favorable reviews. However, there was still little hope for Keats’ full recovery from his illness.
Keats’ friends suggested that he journey to Italy for his health, yet, Keats felt as if he would never return. A letter meant for Keats, outlining the state of his health, was accidentally opened by Fanny. This incident brought Keats back to Hampstead where he spent a happy month with the Brawne family. During this month Keats and Fanny fell deeper into love, only to be parted, unknowingly forever.
Keats departed for Italy in September of 1820 and arrived in Rome in November. It was evident in Keats’ letters that Fanny was always on his mind. And it was in Rome that Keats sent Fanny letters containing the most powerful profusions of a devoted and steadfast love. However, it was in 1821 that Keats passed away, never having seen Fanny again. But, Keats’ letters and poems remained alive in Fanny’s heart, as she held onto Keats’ letters her entire life.
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
