IN SEARCH OF JOHN KEATS GRAVE

The final resting place in Rome's protestant cemetery, of English poet John Keats (1795-1821), who died of tuberculosis at the young age of 25years old in Rome on 24th February 1821. The words engraved on his tomb stone are 'here lies one whose name was writ in water'. The headstone was designed by Keats friend - the artist Joseph Severn (1793-1879) who is buried next to him. Above the inscription is an image of a lyre - symbol of Apollo (the Greek and Roman god of poetry). The missing strings symbolise a life cut short. There is also a plaque bearing a carved relief of Keats on the adjacent cemetery wall which includes a short acrostic verse spelling out the poet's name. The plaque's verse read's "K-eats! if they cherished name be "writ in water" E-ach drop has fallen from some mourner's cheek; A-sacred tribute; such as heroes seek, T-hough oft in vain - for dazzling deeds of slaughter S-leep on! Not honoured less for Epitaph so meek!" Filmed in September 2020.