The passport arrived before we started I dont think I shall be long ill. God bless you--farewell.
John Keats
Address: Mr Charles Brown ∣ Wentworth Place ∣ Hampstead ∣ Middx.
No postmark.
Saturday Septr 281
Maria Crowther
off Yarmouth isle of wight.
My dear Brown,
The time has not yet come for a pleasant Letter from me. I have delayed writing to you from time to time because I felt how impossible it was to enliven you with one heartening hope of my recovery; this morning in bed the matter struck me in a different manner; I thought I would write 'while I was in some liking'2 or I might become too ill to write at all, and then if the desire to have written should become strong it would be a great affliction to me. I have many more Letters to write and I bless my stars that I have begun, for time seems to press, --this may be my best opportunity. We are in a calm and I am easy enough this morning. If my spirits seem too low you may in some degree impute it to our having been at sea a fortnight without making any way. I was very disappointed at not meeting you at bedhamption, and am very provoked at the thought of you being at Chiches-
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