Original, signed.

Concerning an invitation from Shelley; publication of poetry; et al.

Incipit: I am very much gratified...

This item arrived in the Bodleian in an exhibition mount, with a caption stating: 'Letter from John Keats to Percy Bysshe Shelley, Hampstead, 16 August 1820. Keats thanks Shelley for his invitation to visit him in Italy, but prophesies that death will prevent his acceptance. He promises to send Shelley a copy of his last volume of poems. In July 1822 Shelley was drowned during a storm whilst aboard his yacht on a voyage from Leghorn to Lerici. His body was washed ashore at Viareggio and, according to Trelawny, a copy of Keats's poems 'Lamia, Isabella, etc.' was found open in his jacket pocket. (Lent by Lord Abinger 1977) KH 368'