Keats House and Protestant Cemetery

I now have a more complete understanding of the lives of the 19th century romantic poets, particularly Keats. Today we went to the Keats-Shelly House, next to the Spanish Steps, and the guide gave a very thorough  and enjoyable account of Keat's life and death. It is sad to think of a young life cut so short so far from the people he loved. He lost so many people in his life and other than a few friends, the only people he had were his brother George, who lived in America, and the love of his life Fanny Brawne, whom he left behind in England when he came to Italy in hopes of curing his tuberculosis.

I was amazed by how small and cramped the living quarters seemed as well. A tiny bedroom with a fireplace, where they would reheat the food sent up from the taverns, and a small sitting room. To live and die in such a place ... it makes me greatful for all of the comforts and conveniences of my life.

The Protestant Cemetery, sitting in the shadow of the Pyramid of Cestius, was lovely and poignant. The side where Percy Shelley is buried is crowded with row upon row of tombstones, both simple and ornate. On the other side, where Keat's lies, was simple and quite and peaceful. On his grave he asked that there be no name, only the phrase "Here lies one whose name was writ in water," because he believed that he would not be remembered after his death. Beside it on a wall however is a plaque that asserts that if his name is written in water, it is from the tears of his mourners.