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| 1848-49 |
Languishing and death in Kranj |
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is misfortunate life and in particular
his drinking had weakened his health so much that he was
unable to make a fresh start. He stopped writing poetry,
only occasionally turning out the odd obscene verse; he
was aware that these were not suitable for the general
public, as demonstrated by the fact that he kept such
poems in a locked drawer, always carrying the key with
him. Most of the poetry associated with drinking was destroyed
after his death, in circumstances which were never quite
explained, which was often the cause of disagreement between
the liberals and the nationalists. In spite of his almost
total ruin in Kranj, Prešeren led quite a few lawsuits,
which demonstrate the nature of his character. He represented
a group of more than a hundred peasants who tried to establish
whether they really were bound to pay a tithe to the Kranj
dean Dagarin. Apparently, he represented quite a few poor
people for free, and he generally did not exploit the
numerous opportunities for financial gain offered by the
growing centre of the Upper Carniola region.
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In the summer, the last of his friends,
Dr Blaž Crobath,
died. He had suffered from the same illness that a few
weeks later confined Prešeren to his bed - cirrhosis of
the liver. The poet's last days were not easy, he was
without money and had extensive debts, so that he had
nothing to leave to Ana and the children, but he did recognise
the children as his in his will. He died on Thursday,
8th February 1849, and was buried in Kranj.
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