Bright Star Page #5

John, have you had wine?

I was severely chilled.

I was on the outside of the coach,

but now I don't feel it.

Abigail!

Abigail! Get up, dress yourself.

We need a doctor.

Abigail, bring the water.

I need a basin and a towel.

And glasses, I need glasses.

-Let me help. I can...

-Stand back, stand back.

Keats has already asked to see Miss Brawne,

but I've managed him

and said that she had gone into town.

But I have not.

I am speaking of keeping Mr. Keats calm.

This is a deception I will not join.

No, no, it is not a deception.

I am simply determined

to preserve the Life of my friend.

You would have it that

I kill Mr. Keats with affection.

-Fanny!

-Perhaps you will.

Apparently, there is nothing I can do to

persuade you of the gravity of the situation,

but Keats is in my care

and all visits will follow my regime

or they will not happen at all.

Please, we Brawnes will do whatever we can

to restore Mr. Keats to health.

I was wondering where you were.

I have been waiting

to be with you the whole day.

Last night there was a...

There was a great rush of blood,

such that I thought that I would suffocate.

And I said to Mr. Brown,

''This is unfortunate.''

My thoughts were of you.

''My sweet creature, when I send this round,

I shall be in the front parlor,

''watching to see you show yourself

for a minute in the garden.

''When I look back upon the ecstasies

in which I have passed some days

''and the miseries in their turn,

''I wonder the more at the beauty

which has kept up the spell so fervently.

''How horrid was the chance of slipping

into the ground instead of into your arms.

''The difference is amazing, love. ''

-Go on! Go on, now!

-No, Brown. Brown. Brown.

I get anxious if I don't see her.

Why not bed her?

She'd do whatever you wished.

It might relieve your condition.

''Do not take the trouble of writing much.

''Merely send me my good night

to put under my pillow. John Keats. ''

''Let me no longer detain you

from going to town.

''There may be no end

to this imprisoning of you.

''Perhaps you had better not come

before tomorrow evening.

''You know our situation. I am recommended

not even to read poetry, much less write it.

''I wish I had even a little hope.

''I cannot say forget me,

''but I would mention that

there are impossibilities in the world. ''

John, why do you say ''impossibilities''?

I have coughed blood again.

I fear the disease has the upper hand

and I will not recover.

I can't Leave you.

I have such clear hope

for your new book of poems.

John, they are more beautiful than

any I have read of Mr. Coleridge,

Mr. Wordsworth, even Lord Byron.

''O what can ail thee, knight-at-arms

''Alone and palely loitering?

''The sedge has wither'd from the Lake

And no birds sing''

''I met a lady in the meads

''Full beautiful, a faery's child

''Her hair was Long, her foot was light

''And her eyes were wild

''I set her on my pacing steed

''And nothing else saw all day Long

''For sidelong would she bend and sing

A faery's song''

''She found me roots of relish sweet

''And honey wild, and manna dew

''And sure in language strange she said

'I Love thee true'''

''She took me to her elfin grot''

''And there she wept, and sigh'd full sore''

''And there I shut her wild wild eyes

With kisses four

''And there she lulled me asleep

''And there I dream'd, ah! woe betide!

''The latest dream I ever dream'd

''On the cold hill side''

Abigail?

Here it is.

Mr. Brown said to give it to you tomorrow,

but I'II not wait.

He is the most cruel,

dead-hearted man in this entire world.

Oh, my God!

Oh, my God, I wish I were dead.

I am boiling with fury.

John, you must not convulse again.

Abigail is with child,

but to whom, out of fear or shame,

she would not say.

We, Brown, must find out who it is,

and when we have his name,

then butcher or baker,

he shall face up to his indecency.

-Will you call her?

-It's not necessary.

She has me believe I'm the father.

My God, I had no notion of a Love affair.

There was none,

or I must have slept through it.

With what ease you help yourself.

I have agreed to pay for the child.

And the worst thing is

I can't keep this place.

I have to start my summer rental early.

And I feel wretched turning you out

while you are so unwell,

but, John, I can't do anything else.

I'm overloaded with debt.

Don't concern yourself.

-I shall manage.

-Stupid. Stupid.

In what stumbling ways a new soul is begun.

I'd very much value your opinion, Mr. Keats,

on a new painting of mine,

The Cave of Despair. I was...

If you are suggesting he won't survive

another winter in England,

then we must do something.

Gentlemen, I think we should hear

Dr. Bree on the issue of climate

for Keats' health.

Well, a move to a gentler climate

is essential.

I would recommend Italy.

-Rome?

-Rome is good.

-Does he want to go to Rome?

-Well, he has to go.

He won't Live through another winter

in England.

How do you feel about Italy, John?

I do think there is an issue of finance.

Could we not, between us,

start a fund or a coIIection?

It seems possible.

Of course, he'll need a traveling companion.

Brown, youll go?

Absolutely, absolutely.

Someone must go.

I'm not sure I shall be able.

-Is that a ''no''?

-Miss. Miss.

I can help find a room for the summer,

John, if you want.

Sammy, walk behind.

I want to go to Italy with you.

We can marry, and I'II go with you.

My friends talk of going to Italy,

but I have so Little money.

Spare a penny, sir?

I can barely afford

these Kentish Town rooms.

Farewell me here.

Why?

We don't do linen.

AII right, I'm coming!

Mr. Hunt can't have meant this room.

I told you not to come.

Go now.

Go.

Please start.

-Please start.

-Where's Fanny?

Thank you.

She's not eating.

Are you all right?

How Long has Mr. Keats been away?

Five weeks.

Perhaps it is for the best.

Whose best?

I thought it might be a relief to be separated

when the circumstances are so difficult.

You all wish I would give up, but I can't.

Even if I wanted to, I cannot.

John!

Keep away from me if you do not Love me,

if you have not a crystal conscience

this past month.

Oh, my Love.

I thought my heart was breaking.

Mama! Mama!

Mr. Keats?

Toots, the door.

Take care.

John. John?

Thank you.

-Was there any blood?

-No.

Is he staying here?

Yes, yes. Tonight.

Well, I need to examine the patient.

May he stay tomorrow?

Till he Leaves for Italy?

But you are not even officiaIIy engaged.

Can't we be?

There is no end to this.

Next, youll want to marry

then travel to Rome.

I should never have moved into this house.

I have let this happen.

Just until Italy.

You are already the source

of so much gossip.

Well then, Let us be engaged.

Toots.

Have you been eating rosebuds again?

So where do your cheeks get their blush?

I confirmed your ship,

the Maria Crowther, sailing for Naples.

When does she Leave?

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