The Miscellaneous Poems with some exceptions were published either by Shelley, in his successive volumes, or by Mrs. Shelley, in Posthumous Poems, 1824, and the two editions of 1839. A few first appeared elsewhere, and were included in the collected editions, and still others have from time to time found their way to the public. The original issue of each poem is stated, in this edition, in the footnotes. Manuscripts of several, either in Shelley's or Mrs. Shelley's hand, are in existence, and either establish the text or afford variations. The history of each poem, if known, is given in the NOTES. EARLY POEMS 1813-1815 EVENING TO HARRIET O THOU bright Sun! beneath the dark blue line Till calm Earth, with the parting splendor bright, Shows like the vision of a beauteous dream; What gazer now with astronomic eye Could coldly count the spots within thy sphere? Such were thy lover, Harriet, could he fly The thoughts of all that makes his passion dear, And, turning senseless from thy warm caress, Pick flaws in our close-woven happiness. Evening. To Harriet. Published by Dowden, Life of Shelley. 1887. Composed July 31, 1813. TO IANTHE I LOVE thee, Baby! for thine own sweet sake; Who bore thy weight beneath her spotless bosom, As with deep love I read thy face, recur,More dear art thou, O fair and fragile blossom; Dearest when most thy tender traits express The image of thy mother's loveliness. STANZA WRITTEN AT BRACKNELL THY dewy looks sink in my breast; I could have borne my wayward lot: Had cankered then - but crushed it not. To Ianthe. Published by Dowden, Life of Shelley, 1887. Composed September, 1813. Stanza. Published by Hogg, Life of Shelley, 1858. Composed March, 1814. |