.II. Of hatred I am proud,-with scorn content; Itself indifferent. But, not to speak of love, pity alone Can break a spirit already more than bent. Turns the mind's poison into food,- 1 III. Therefore, if now I see you seldomer, Dear friends, dear friend!2 know that I only fly Griefs that should sleep, and hopes that cannot die: The very comfort that they minister I scarce can bear, yet I, So deeply is the arrow gone, Should quickly perish if it were withdrawn. IV. When I return to my cold home, you ask You spoil me for the task Of acting a forced part in life's dull scene, Of wearing on my brow the idle mask Of author, great or mean, In the world's carnival. I sought Peace thus, and but in you I found it not. 1 In Mr. Rossetti's edition, Indifference, which once hurt me, is now grown... So in the second edition of 1839 and Mr. Rossetti's; but in Ascham's and in the first edition of 1839, we read, instead, Dear, gentle friend! 3 So in Mrs. Shelley's editions; but lately in Mr. Rossetti's. 4 So in Mr. Trelawny's MS., but on in Mrs. Shelley's editions. V. Full half an hour, to-day, I tried my lot She loves me1- loves me not." And if this meant a vision long since fledIf it meant fortune, fame, or peace of thought— If it meant,but I dread To speak what you may know too well: Still there was truth in the sad oracle. VI. The crane o'er seas and forests seeks her home; The sleepless billows on the ocean's breast Doubtless there is a place of peace VII. I asked her, yesterday, if she believed That I had resolution. One who had Would ne'er have thus relieved His heart with words, but what his judgment bade Would do, and leave the scorner unrelieved. 5 These verses are too sad To send to you, but that I know, Happy yourself, you feel another's woe. 1 The note, "See Faust," reproduced here by Mrs. Shelley from Aschain's edition, is highly suggestive of the origin in periodical literature which I suspect. It is like a magazine editor's note. 2 Whence in Ascham's edition and the first of 1839; but When in the second and Mr. Rossetti's. 3 In the first edition of 1839, Burst like a bursting heart, and die in peace, but the line appears as in the text in the second edition and Mr. Rossetti's. 4 In the first edition of 1839 shall, -in the second will. 5 So in the second edition of 1839 and Mr. Rossetti's; but unreprieved in the two earlier editions. 6 So in Mrs. Shelley's editions, and in Ascham's; but were in Mr. Rossetti's. TO-MORROW.1 I. WHERE art thou, beloved To-morrow? When young and old and strong and weak, Thy sweet smiles we ever seek, In thy place-ah! well-a-day! II. If I walk in Autumn's even ΤΟ I. ONE word is too often profaned 1 Stanza I of this song appears in the Posthumous Poems: stanza II, I give in this connexion on internal evidence alone, for it was not published until 1870, having been communicated by Mr. Garnett to Mr. Rossetti, as an independent fragment. It seems to me to balance the other stanza so perfectly both in thought and in style that I can hardly think the connexion will be questioned. I have, however, put the matter before Mr. Garnett, who found the stanza among the Boscombe MSS., and is better qualified than any one else to judge of the probabilities of the case; and he thinks there is " 'every probability that the two stanzas should be connected." 2 This and the next poem were first given by Mrs. Shelley in the Posthu mous Poems. One feeling too falsely disdained One hope is too like despair Than that from another. II. I can give not what men call love, The worship the heart lifts above The devotion to something afar ΤΟ I. WHEN passion's trance is overpast, II. It were enough to feel, to see, And dream the rest-and burn and be The secret food of fires unseen, Couldst thou but be as thou hast been. III. After the slumber of the year All things revive in field or grove, And sky and sea, but two, which move, And form1 all others, life and love. A BRIDAL SONG.2 I. THE golden gates of Sleep unbar Where Strength and Beauty met together, In a sea of glassy weather. Let eyes not see their own delight;- Oft renew. II. Fairies, sprites, and angels keep her! Oh joy! oh fear! what will be done Come along! 1 In Mrs. Shelley's editions, for; but form in the MS. in Sir Percy Shelley's possession. See Relics of Shelley, p. 95. * Of the three versions of this Song, the first appears in the Posthumous Poems and Mrs. Shelley's collected editions: the second is from Medwin's Life of Shelley; and the third was |