| Shelley to Keats |
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Pisa, July 27th, 1820
Pisa - July 27 1820
I hear with great pain the dangerous accident that you have undergone, Mr Gisborne who gives me the account of it, adds, that you continue to wear a consumptive appearance. This consumption is a disease particularly fond of people who write such good verses as you have done, and with the assistance of an English writer it can often indulge its selection;- I do not think that young & amiable poets are at all bound to gratify its taste; they have entered into no bond with the Muses to that effect. But seriously (for I am joking on what I am very anxious about) I think you would do well to pass the winter after so tremendous an accident in Italy, & (if you think it as necessary as I do) so long as you could find Pisa or its neighbourhood agreeable to you, Mrs. Shelley unites with myself in urging the request, that you would take up your residence with us. - You might come by sea to Leghorn, (France is not worth seeing, & the sea air is particularly good for weak lungs) which is within a few miles of us. You ought at all events to see Italy, & your health which I suggest as a motive, might be an excuse to you.- I spare declamation about the statues & the paintings & the ruins - & what is a greater piece of forbearance - about the mountains the streams & the fields, the colours of the sky, & the sky itself - I have lately read you Endymion again & ever with a new sense of the treasures of poetry it contains, though treasures poured forth with indistinct profusion. This, people in general will not endure, & that is the cause of the comparatively few copies which have been sold. - I feel persuaded that you are capable of the greatest things, so you but will. I always tell Ollier to send you Copies of my books. - "Prometheus Unbound" I imagine you will receive nearly at the same time with this letter. The Cenci I hope you have already received - it was studiously composed in a different style "below the good how far! but far above the great". In poetry <I have sought to avoid system & mannerism; I wish those who excel me in genius, would pursue the same plan - Whether you remain in England, or journey to Italy, - believe that you carry with you my anxious wishes for your health happiness & success, wherever you are or whatever you undertake - & that I am
Yours sincerely [Read the biographical context.] |