***
EARLY POEMS [1814, 1815].
[The poems which follow appeared, with a few exceptions, either in the volumes published from time to time by Shelley himself, or in the “Posthumous Poems” of 1824, or in the “Poetical Works” of 1839, of which a second and enlarged edition was published by Mrs. Shelley in the same year. A few made their first appearance in some fugitive publication—such as Leigh Hunt’s “Literary Pocket-Book”—and were subsequently incorporated in the collective editions. In every case the editio princeps and (where this is possible) the exact date of composition are indicated below the title.]
***
STANZA, WRITTEN AT BRACKNELL.
[Composed March, 1814. Published in Hogg’s “Life of Shelley”, 1858.]
Thy dewy looks sink in my breast;
Thy gentle words stir poison there;
Thou hast disturbed the only rest
That was the portion of despair!
Subdued to Duty’s hard control, _5
I could have borne my wayward lot:
The chains that bind this ruined soul
Had cankered then—but crushed it not.
***
STANZAS.—APRIL, 1814.
[Composed at Bracknell, April, 1814. Published with “Alastor”, 1816.]