544
POEMS WRITTEN IN 1817
II
Dark is the realm of grief: but human things
Those may not know who cannot weep for them. 10
········
Dark is the realm of grief: but human things
Those may not know who cannot weep for them. 10
········
III
Once more descend
The shadows of my soul upon mankind,
For to those hearts with which they never blend,
Thoughts are but shadows which the flashing mind
From the swift clouds which track its flight of fire, 15
Casts on the gloomy world it leaves behind.
········
Once more descend
The shadows of my soul upon mankind,
For to those hearts with which they never blend,
Thoughts are but shadows which the flashing mind
From the swift clouds which track its flight of fire, 15
Casts on the gloomy world it leaves behind.
········
'O THAT A CHARIOT OF CLOUD WERE MINE'
[Published by Dr. Garnett, Relics of Shelley, 1862.]
O that a chariot of cloud were mine!
Of cloud which the wild tempest weaves in air,
When the moon over the ocean's line
Is spreading the locks of her bright gray hair.
O that a chariot of cloud were mine! 5
I would sail on the waves of the billowy wind
To the mountain peak and the rocky lake,
And the . . .
Of cloud which the wild tempest weaves in air,
When the moon over the ocean's line
Is spreading the locks of her bright gray hair.
O that a chariot of cloud were mine! 5
I would sail on the waves of the billowy wind
To the mountain peak and the rocky lake,
And the . . .
FRAGMENT: TO A FRIEND RELEASED FROM PRISON[1]
[Published by Dr. Garnett, Belies of Shelley, 1862.]
For me, my friend, if not that tears did tremble
In my faint eyes, and that my heart beat fast
With feelings which make rapture pain resemble,
Yet, from thy voice that falsehood starts aghast,
I thank thee—let the tyrant keep 5
His chains and tears, yea, let him weep
With rage to see thee freshly risen,
Like strength from slumber, from the prison,
In which he vainly hoped the soul to bind
Which on the chains must prey that fetter humankind. 10
In my faint eyes, and that my heart beat fast
With feelings which make rapture pain resemble,
Yet, from thy voice that falsehood starts aghast,
I thank thee—let the tyrant keep 5
His chains and tears, yea, let him weep
With rage to see thee freshly risen,
Like strength from slumber, from the prison,
In which he vainly hoped the soul to bind
Which on the chains must prey that fetter humankind. 10
FRAGMENT: SATAN BROKEN LOOSE
[Published by Rossetti, Complete P. W. of P. B. S., 1870.]
A golden-wingèd Angel stood
Before the Eternal Judgement-seat:
His looks were wild, and Devils' blood
Stained his dainty bands and feet.
The Father and the Son 5
Knew that strife was now begun.
Before the Eternal Judgement-seat:
His looks were wild, and Devils' blood
Stained his dainty bands and feet.
The Father and the Son 5
Knew that strife was now begun.
- ↑ Fragment: To a Friend.—For the metre see p. 579. (A. C. Bradley.)
