Poems of Shelley (1907)

To the left, we show the Frontispiece depicting Percy Bysshe Shelley prepared by A S Hartrick.                     On the right, we show the Vignette Title also prepared by A S Hartrick.

In his Introduction to Poems of Shelley, Professor John Churton Collins provides a comprehensive survey of Shelley's

literary achievements, but perhaps the most insightful comments on Shelley's purpose in writing are provided by the

following quote from Shelley himself:

I do remember well the hour which burst

My spirit's sleep: a fresh May-dawn it was

When I walked forth upon the glittering grass

And wept, I know not why: until there rose

From the near school-room voices, that, alas,

Were but one echo from a world of woes,

The harsh and grating strife of tyrants and of foes.

 

And then I claspt my hands and looked around,

But none was near to mock my streaming eyes,

Which poured their warm drops on the sunny ground

So without shame I spake: - "I will be wise,

And just, and free, and mild, if in me lies

Such power, for I grow weary to behold

The selfish and the strong still tyrannise

Without reproach or check." I then controlled

My tears, my heart grew calm, and I was meek and bold.

 

And from that hour did I with earnest thought,

Heap knowledge from forbidden mines of lore,

Yet nothing that my tyrants knew or taught

I cared to learn, but from the secret store

Wrought linked armour for my soul, before

It might go forth to war among mankind.

Given such words, perhaps it is little wonder that Shelley has been termed Un Titan nella forma d'un Angelo, or, 'a Titan

in an Angel's form'.

The illustrations by King - highlighted by silver- and gold-gilt and rose accents - are gorgeous and capture the themes in
this collection of works from Shelley in beautiful form.

Alastor; or, The Spirit of Solitude Making the wild his home	The Revolt of Islam The Desolated Village There was a desolate village in a wood	Prometheus Unbound With garlands pied and starry sea-flower crowns	Adonais Alone, desolate and apart

Stanzas Until thine azure sister of the Spring shall blow Her clarion o'er the dreaming earth	To a Skylark The world should listen then - as I am listening now	Hymn of Pan Listening to my sweet pipings	To Night Wrap thy form in a mantle gray, Star inwrought! Blind with thine hair the eyes of Day; Kiss her until she be wearied out