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The Complete Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley (ed. Hutchinson, 1914)/Song: 'Rarely, rarely, comest thou'

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216626The Complete Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley — Song: 'Rarely, rarely, comest thou'Percy Bysshe Shelley

SONG

[Published by Mrs. Shelley, Posthumous Poems, 1824. There is a transcript in the Harvard MS. book.]

IRarely, rarely, comest thou,Spirit of Delight!Wherefore hast thou left me nowMany a day and night?Many a weary night and day 5'Tis since thou art fled away.
IIHow shall ever one like meWin thee back again?With the joyous and the freeThou wilt scoff at pain. 10Spirit false! thou hast forgotAll but those who need thee not.
IIIAs a lizard with the shadeOf a trembling leaf,Thou with sorrow art dismayed; 15Even the sighs of griefReproach thee, that thou art not near,And reproach thou wilt not hear.
IVLet me set my mournful dittyTo a merry measure; 20Thou wilt never come for pity,Thou wilt come for pleasure;Pity then will cut awayThose cruel wings, and thou wilt stay.
VI love all that thou lo vest, 25Spirit of Delight!The fresh Earth in new leaves dressed,And the starry night:Autumn evening, and the mornWhen the golden mists are born. 30
VII love snow, and all the formsOf the radiant frost;I love waves, and winds, and storms,Everything almostWhich is Nature's, and may be 35Untainted by man's misery.
VIII love tranquil solitude,And such societyAs is quiet, wise, and goodBetween thee and me 40What difference? but thou dost possessThe things I seek, not love them less.
VIIII love Love—though he has wings,And like light can flee,But above all other things, 45Spirit, I love thee—Thou art love and life! Oh, come,Make once more my heart thy home.