Letters-Mark Bradshaw

[00:37.75]My dearest lady, [00:40.87]I am now at a very pleasant cottage window [00:43.59]Looking onto a beautiful hilly country, [00:46.60]With a view of the sea. [00:49.02]The morning is very fine. [00:51.54]I do not know how elastic my spirit might be, [00:55.36]What pleasure I might have in living here [00:57.01]If the remembrance of you did not weigh so upon me. [01:02.29]Ask yourself, my love, whether you are not very cruel to have so entrammelled me, [01:07.11]So destroyed my freedom. [01:11.65]For myself, I know not how to express my devotion to so fair a form. [01:17.28]I want a brighter word than bright,a fairer word than fair. [01:25.04]I almost wish we were butterflies [01:28.01]And lived but three summer days. [01:31.72]Three such days with you I could fill with more delight [01:33.78]Than 50 common years could ever contain. [01:52.19]When you can confess this in a letter [01:54.50]You must write immediately [01:56.27]And do all you can to console me in it, [01:59.29]Make it rich as a draft of poppies [02:00.89]To intoxicate me, [02:02.92]Write the softest words and kiss them [02:06.75]That I may at least touch my lips where yours have been [02:14.42]“My dear Mr. Keats, thank you for your letter. [02:18.86]Lately I have felt so nervous and ill that I had to stay five days in bed. [02:23.91]Have received your letter, [02:25.85]I am up again, walking our paths on the heath. [02:29.06]I’ve begun a butterfly farm in my bedroom in honor of us. [02:32.79]Sammy and Toots are catching them for me [02:35.92]Samuel has made a science of it [02:37.98]And is collecting both caterpillars and chrysalises [02:40.33]So we may have them fluttering about us a week or more.” [02:50.69]“I have two luxurious to brood over in my walks, [02:54.32]Your loveliness and the hour of my death. [02:58.00]O that O could have possession of them both in the same minute. [03:02.74]I never knew before what such a love as you have made me feel was. [03:06.77]I did not believe in it. [03:08.60]But if you will fully love me, [03:10.97]Though there may be some fire, [03:12.18]It will not be more than we can bear when moistened and bedewed with pleasures.”