Pueblo chieftain., 1921-02-27
CENTENARY CELEBRATION
DEATH OF JOHN KEATS

London. Feb. :t.-The English lit
crary world Feb ~ observed tho one
hundrcdth anniversary OF tho death
OF John Keats. the famous young poet
who thought his name merely writ in
water" but whose worshipcrs arc le-
Eion. and whose grave in Romo these
hundred years has been among the
sacred spots of the world that serve
as ncccas to the feet of all who rcvcr-
cncc genius.
What Byron did for modern Greece
in England, Keats may be said to have
dono for ancient Greece. Tho bcauti-
full songs OF Greece embodied In En-
dymion'' and Hyperion" no less than
tho enthusiastic odcs and sonncts in
praise of Hellenic works OF art, opened
the eyes of many OF the contcmporsr-
les OF Keats to tho enduring beauties
of Greece.
Tho youthful poet had personal quail
tiles and n strength of character that
had always drawn about him devoted
friends. In his school days he was
very popular with his companions. and
was such "A notable fighter they cS-
pccted to sec him become n great gem
eraL
He took tho profession OF medicine
and surgery. but his heart was entirely
absorbed in literature His -Endy-
ion," ono OF the most exquisite pieces
poem. He received a cruel shock in
regard to this from Wordsworth. The
older poet invited young Keats to dino
with him. and at his request Keats re-
cited to him the wonderful Hymn to
Pan" from the Endymion. At the close
Wordsworth said coldly. that is a very
pretty piece of paganism.
Thru a severe cold taken in tho cS-
posurc of "a long walking tour thru
England and into Scotland, consump-
ton began its deadly work upon this
brilliant young life. In the autumn OF
1878 his brother Tom died, tcndcrly
nurscd to tho very last by the poet
Two important events happened during
the bitterly sad pcriod-hc began ia
write his Hyperion and he fell in
lovo with Miss Fanny Brawnc.
This was one OF the saddest love
stories OF history. Keats knew his
fate. and while he struggled bravcly
to live, realized that health was inn
possible to regain. Fanny Brawnc was
/ tender and loving, and bravely faced
tho sad conditions that developed. Nc
ono but she ever knew the strength OF
his affection for her. and when he died
she held his memory in loving. tender
| reverence. She never knew. however
! how great n genius had loved her. fol
she could not riso to the heights OF his
soul.
selves to Keats in his failing days
Leigh Hunt took him into his home and
nurscd him for weeks. Shelley wrote
! from Pisa telling him to como to their
! to be nursed back to health, and IL wa;
his friend. Joseph severn. who sailed
/ with him for Naples, when Keats wa
ordered south.
Tho poet longod TO SEC Romc. lie
counted the days Till ho could reacl
there. and tried bravcly to givo hi;
\ friend little care, and to deceive hin
as TO his desperate condition. At Ma
pies were urgent letters from Shelley
| telling him TO como at once to Pisa
but Rome was tho one desire of hi.
| heart.
| lie lived long enough TO go about th'
| city a little, and then for two and q
| half months he lay dying. and lougint
| for the end to come. Joseph Scvcrr
| devoted every hour to him, and Kcat'
| died in his arms.
| Fifty years later tho body Of Sever
| was buried beside the friend of hi,
| youth-tho poet whose name Is writ
| tcn--not i'm watcr-but deeply engraved
| in the hearts of men.