济慈写给芬妮的信

Keats's Letter to Fanny

13th October, 1819

College street

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 against 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 absorbed 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 . Your note came in just here.

I cannot be happier away from you. It is richer than an argosy of pearls .

Do not threat me, even in jest. 

I have been astonished that men could die martyrs for religion . I have shuddered at it. 

I shudder no more i could be martyred 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 ravished 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 endeavored 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

济慈在20多岁时爱上了邻家女孩芬妮（Fanny）并与其订了婚。但那时济慈身患肺结核，身体每况愈下，最终客死他乡。济慈与芬妮虽然订了婚，却未能步入婚姻殿堂。在济慈下葬时，他的胸口还放着一封写给芬妮的信，而芬妮终身都没有取下与济慈订婚的那枚戒指。