Contents
I。SHELLEYANDHISAGE
II。PRINCIPALWRITINGS
III。THEPOETOFREBELLION，OFNATURE，ANDOFLOVE
BIBLIOGRAPHICALNOTE
ChapterIShelleyandHisAgeInthecaseofmostgreatwritersourinterestinthemaspersonsisderivedfromoutinterestinthemaswriters；wearenotverycuriousaboutthemexceptforreasonsthathavesomethingtodowiththeirart。WithShelleyitisdifferent。
Duringhislifehearousedfearsandhatreds，lovesandadorations，thatwerequiteirrelevanttoliterature；andevennow，whenhehasbecomeaclassic，hestillcausesexcitementasaman。Hisloversareasvehementasever。Forthemheisthe"banneroffreedom，"which，"Tornbutflying，Streamslikeathunder-cloudagainstthewind。"
Hehassufferedthatworstindignityofcanonisationasabeingsaintlyandsuperhuman，notsubjecttothemoralityofordinarymortals。Hehasbeenbedaubedwithpathos。Neverthelessitispossiblestilltorecogniseinhimoneofthemostengagingpersonalitiesthateverlived。Whatisthesecretofthischarm？Hehadmanycharacteristicsthatbelongtothemosttiresomenatures；heevenhadthequalitiesofthemanastowhomonewonderswhetherpartialinsanitymaynotbehisbestexcuse——inconstancyexpressingitselfinhystericalrevulsionsoffeeling，completelackofbalance，pronenesstoactrecklesslytothehurtofothers。Yethewaslovedandrespectedbycontemporariesoftastesverydifferentfromhisown，whoweregoodjudgesandintolerantofbores——byByron，whowasapttocarelittleforanyone，leastofallforpoets，excepthimself；byPeacock，whopouredlaughteronallenthusiasms；andbyHogg，who，thoughslightlyeccentric，wasaToryeccentric。Thefactisthat，withallhisdefects，hehadtwoqualitieswhich，combined，aresoattractivethatthereisscarcelyanythingtheywillnotredeem——perfectsinceritywithoutathoughtofself，andvividemotionalforce。Allhisfaultsaswellashisvirtueswere，moreover，derivedfromacertainstrongfeeling，colouredinapeculiarwaywhichwillbeexplainedinwhatfollows——asortofardourofuniversalbenevolence。Oneofhislettersendswiththesewords：
"Affectionatelovetoandfromall。Thisoughttobenotonlythevaleofaletter，butasuperscriptionoverthegateoflife"——wordswhich，expressingnotmerelyShelley’sopinionofwhatoughttobe，butwhatheactuallyfelt，revealtheultimatereasonwhyheisstillloved，andthereason，too，whyhehassooftenbeenidealised。Forthisuniversalbenevolenceisathingwhichappealstomenalmostwiththeforceofdivinity，stillcarrying，evenwhenmutilatedandobscuredbyfrailties，somesuggestionofSt。FrancisorofChrist。
Theobjectofthesepagesisnottoidealiseeitherhislife，hischaracte，orhisworks。Thethreeareinseparablyconnected，andtounderstandonewemustunderstandall。ThereasonisthatShelleyisoneofthemostsubjectiveofwriters。Itwouldbehardtonameapoetwhohaskepthisartmorefreefromalltaintofrepresentationofthereal，makingitnoraninstrumentforcreatingsomethinglife-like，butamoreandmoreintimateechooremanationofhisownspirit。Instudyinghiswritingsweshallseehowtheyflowfromhisdominatingemotionofloveforhisfellow-men；andthedramaofhislife，displayedagainstthebackgroundofthetime，willinturnthrowlightonthatemotion。Hisbenevolencetookmanyforms——noneperfect，someadmirable，someridiculous。Itwastoouniversal。Heneverhadaclearenoughperceptionoftherealqualitiesofrealmenandwomen；hencehislovesforindividuals，ascapriciousastheywereviolent，alwaysseemtolacksomethingwhichisperhapsthemostvaluableelementinhumanaffection。Ifinthiswaywecananalysehistemperamentsuccessfully，theprocessshouldhelpustoamorecriticalunderstanding，andsotoafullerenjoyment，ofthepoems。
Thisgreatestofourlyricpoets，theculminationoftheRomanticMovementinEnglishliterature，appearedinanagewhich，followingontheseriesofsuccessfulwarsthathadestablishedBritishpowerallovertheworld，wasoneofthegloomiestinourhistory。IfinsomewaystheEnglandof1800-20wasaheadoftherestofEurope，inothersitlaggedfarbehind。TheIndustrialRevolution，whichwastoturnusfromanationofpeasantsandtradersintoanationofmanufacturers，hadbegun；butitschieffruitsasyetwereincreasedmaterialismandgreed，andpoliticallytheperiodwasoneofblackestreaction。AloneofEuropeanpeopleswehadbeenuntouchedbythetideofNapoleon’sconquests，which，whenitrecededfromtheContinent，atleastleftbehindaframeworkofenlightenedinstitutions，whileoursuccessintheNapoleonicwarsonlyconfirmedtherulingaristocraticfamiliesintheirgripofthenationwhichtheyhadgovernedsincethereignofAnne。Thisdespotismcrushedthehumbleandstimulatedthehigh-spiritedtoviolence，andisthereasonwhythreesuchpoetsasByron，Landor，andShelley，thoughbybirthandfortunemembersoftherulingclass，werepioneersasmuchofpoliticalasofspiritualrebellion。UnabletobreathetheatmosphereofEngland，theyweredriventoliveinexile。
Itrequiressomeefforttoreconstructthatatmosphereto-day。
Aforeigncritic[Dr。GeorgeBrandes，invol。iv。ofhis’MainCurrentsofNineteenthCenturyLiterature’]hassummeditupbysayingthatEnglandwasthenpre-eminentlythehomeofcant；
whileinpoliticshernativeenergywasdivertedtooppression，inmoralsandreligionittooktheformofhypocrisyandpersecution。AbroadshewassupportingtheHolyAlliance，throwingherweightintothescaleagainstallmovementsforfreedom。Athometherewasexhaustionafterwar；workmenwerethrownoutofemployment，andtaxationpressedheavilyonhighrentsandthehighpriceofcorn，wasmadecruelbyfear；fortheFrenchRevolutionhadsentawaveofpanicthroughthecountry，nottoebbuntilabout1830。Suspicionofrepublicanprinciples——which，itseemed，ledstraighttotheTerror——frightenedmanygoodmen，whowouldotherwisehavebeenreformers，intosupportingthetriumphofcoercionandToryism。
Theeldergenerationofpoetshadbeenrepublicansintheiryouth。WordsworthhadsaidoftheRevolutionthatitwas"blisstobealive"inthatdawn；SoutheyandColeridgehadevenplannedtofoundacommunisticsocietyintheNewWorld。
Nowallthreewereralliedtothedefenceoforderandproperty，toChurchandThroneandConstitution。FromtheirseclusionintheLakes，SoutheyandWordsworthpraisedtheroyalfamilyandcelebratedEnglandasthehomeoffreedom；
whileThomsonwrote"Rule，Britannia，"asifBritons，thoughtheynever，neverwouldbeslavestoaforeigner，weretoahome-growntyrannymoreblighting，becausemorestupid，thanthatofNapoleon。EnglandhadstampedouttheIrishrebellionof1798inblood，hadforcedIrelandbyfraudintotheUnionof1800，andwasstranglingherindustryandcommerce。Catholicscouldneithervotenorholdoffice。AtatimewhenthepopulationoftheUnitedKingdomwassomethirtymillions，theParliamentaryfranchisewaspossessedbynomorethanamillionpersons，andmostoftheseatsintheHouseofCommonsweretheprivatepropertyofrichmen。Representativegovernmentdidnotexist；whoeveragitatedforsomemeasureofitwasdeportedtoAustraliaorforcedtoflytoAmerica。GlasgowandManchesterweaversstarvedandrioted。ThepresswasgaggedandtheHabeasCorpusActconstantlysuspended。AsecondrebellioninIreland，whenCastlereagh"dabbledhissleekyounghandsinErin’sgore，"wassuppressedwithunusualferocity。
InEnglandin1812faminedrovebandsofpoorpeopletowanderandpillage。Underthecriminallaw，stillofmedievalcruelty，deathwasthepunishmentforthetheftofaloaforasheep。Thesocialorganismhadcometoadeadlock——ontheonehandastarvedandangrypopulace，ontheotheravastChurch-and-Kingparty，impregnablypowerful，madeupofallwhohad"astakeinthecountry。"ThestrainwasnottoberelieveduntiltheReformActof1832setthewheelsinmotionagain；theythenmovedpainfullyindeed，butstilltheymoved。
MeanwhileParliamentwasthestrongholdofselfishinterests；
theChurchwasthejackalofthegentry；GeorgeIII，wholosttheAmericancoloniesandmaintainednegroslavery，wasonthethrone，untilhewentmadandwassucceededbyhisprofligateson。
Shelleysaidofhimselfthathewas"Anerveo’erwhichdocreepTheelseunfeltoppressionsofthisearth，"
andalltheshadesofthisdarkpicturearereflectedinhislifeandinhisverse。HewastheeldestsonofaSussexfamilythatwasloyallyWhigandmovedintheorbitoftheCatholicDukesofNorfolk，andthetalkaboutemancipationwhichhewouldhearathomemaypartlyexplainhisamazinginvasionofIrelandin1811-12，whenhewasnineteenyearsold，withtheobjectofprocuringCatholicemancipationandtherepealoftheUnionAct——subjectsonwhichhewasquiteignorant。Headdressedmeetings，wastedmoney，anddistributedtwopamphlets"consistingofthebenevolentandtolerantdeductionsofphilosophyreducedintothesimplestlanguage。"
Lateron，whenhehadleftEnglandforever，hestillfollowedeagerlythedetailsofthestruggleforfreedomathome，andin1819composedagroupofpoemsdesignedtostirthemassesfromtheirlethargy。LordLiverpool’sadministrationwasinoffice，withSidmouthasHomeSecretaryandCastlereaghasForeignSecretary，apairwhomhethuspillories：
"Asasharkanddog-fishwaitUnderanAtlanticIsle，Forthenegroship，whosefreightIsthethemeoftheirdebate，Wrinklingtheirredgillsthewhile——
Areye，twovulturessickforbattle，Twoscorpionsunderonewetstone，Twobloodlesswolveswhosedrythroatsrattle，Twocrowsperchedonthemurrainedcattle，Twoviperstangledintoone。"
Themosteffectiveofthesebitterpoemsis’TheMasqueofAnarchy’，calledforthbythe"PeterlooMassacre"atManchesteronAugust16，1819，whenhussarshadchargedapeaceablemeetingheldinsupportofParliamentaryreform，killingsixpeopleandwoundingsomeseventyothers。Shelley’sfrenzyofindignationpoureditselfoutintheterrificstanzas，writteninsimplestlanguagesoastobeunderstoodbythepeople，whichtellhow"Imetamurderontheway——
HehadamasklikeCastlereagh——
Verysmoothhelooked，yetgrim；
Sevenblood-houndsfollowedhim。"
Thesameyearandmoodproducedthegreatsonnet，’Englandin1819’——
"Anold，mad，blind，despisedanddyingking，Princes，thedregsoftheirdullrace，whoflowThroughpublicscorn，——mudfromamuddyspring。"
andtothesamegroupbelongsthatnotquitesuccessfulessayinsinisterhumour，’SwellfoottheTyrant’（1820），suggestedbythegruntingofpigsatanItalianfair，andburlesquingthequarrelbetweenthePrinceRegentandhiswife。WhenthePrincessofWales（CarolineofBrunswick-Wolfenbuttel），afterhavingleftherhusbandandperambulatedEuropewithaparamour，returned，soonafterthePrince’saccessionasGeorgeIV，toclaimherpositionasQueen，theroyaldifferencesbecameanaffairofhighnationalimportance。Thedivorcecasewhichfollowedwaslikeagangrenouseruptionsymptomaticofthedistempersoftheage。Shelleyfeltthatsortofdisgustwhichmakesamanraveandcurseundertheattacksofsomeloathsomedisease；ifhelaughs，itisthelaughoffrenzy。IntheslightAristophanicdramaof’Swellfoot’，whichwassenthome，published，andatoncesuppressed，herepresentsthemenofEnglandasstarvingpigscontenttolapupsuchdilutedhog’s-washastheirtyrant，thepriests，andthesoldierswillallowthem。Attheend，whenthepigs，rollickingafterthetriumphantPrincess，huntdowntheiroppressors，wecannothelpfeelingalittlesorrythathedoesnotglidefromtheinsistentnoteofpiggishnessintosomegentlermood：theirisaraspingqualityinhishumour，eventhoughitisalwaysonthesideofright。Hewroteonegoodsatirethough。Thisis’PeterBelltheThird’（1819），anattackonWordsworth，partlyliteraryforthedulnessofhiswritingsincehehadbeensunkinclericalrespectability，partlypoliticalforhisrenegadeflunkyism。
In1820thepallwhichstillhungovernorthernEuropebegantoliftinthesouth。AfterNapoleon’sdownfalltheCongressofVienna（1814-16）hadparcelledEuropeoutontheprincipleofdisregardingnationalaspirationsandrestoringthelegitimaterulers。Thissystem，whichcouldnotlast，wasfirstshakenbyrevolutionsthatsetupconstitutionalgovernmentsinSpainandNaples。Shelleyhailedthesestreaksofdawnwithjoy，andutteredhisenthusiasmintwoodes——the’OdetoLiberty’andthe’OdetoNaples’——themostsplendidofthosecriesofhopeandprophecywithwhichalonglineofEnglishpoetshasencouragedtheinsurrectionofthenations。Suchcries，however，havenovisibleeffectonthecourseofevents。
Byron’sjinglescouldchangethefaceoftheworld，whileallShelley’spureandloftyaspirationsleftnomarkonhistory。
Andsoitwas，notwithhisrepublicanardoursalone，butwithallheundertook。Nothinghedidinfluencedhiscontemporariesoutsidehisimmediatecircle；thepubliconlynoticedhimtoexecratetheatheist，thefiend，andthemonster。Hefeltthat"hisnamewaswritonwater，"andlanguishedforwantofrecognition。Hislife，alightning-flashacrossthestorm-cloudoftheage，wasabriefbutcrowdedrecordofmistakesanddisasters，theclassicalexampleoftherulethatgeniusisaninfinitecapacityforgettingintotrouble。
Thoughpoetsmust"learninsufferingwhattheyteachinsong，"
thereisoftenaveinofcomedyintheirlives。IfwecouldtransportourselvestoMiller’sHotel，WestminsterBridge，onacertainafternoonintheearlyspringof1811，weshouldbeholdasceneapparentlyswayedentirelybytheComicMuse。ThememberforShoreham，Mr。TimothyShelley，ahandsome，consequentialgentlemanofmiddleage，whopiqueshimselfonhisenlightenedopinions，isexpectingtwogueststodinner——hiseldestson，andhisson’sfriend，T。J。Hogg，whohavejustbeensentdownfromOxfordforascandalousaffairofanaestheticalsquib。Whentheyoungmenarriveatfiveo’clock，Mr。ShelleyreceivesHogg，anobservantandcool-headedperson，withgraciousness，andanhourisspentinconversation。Mr。Shelleyrunsonstrangely，"inanodd，unconnectedmanner，scolding，crying，swearing，andthenweepingagain。"Afterdinner，hissonbeingoutoftheroom，heexpresseshissurprisetoHoggatfindinghimsuchasensiblefellow，andaskshimwhatistobedonewiththescapegoat。"Lethimbemarriedtoagirlwhowillsoberhim。"
Thewinemovesbrisklyround，andMr。Shelleybecomesmaudlinandtearfulagain。Heisamodelmagistrate，theterrorandtheidolofpoachers；heishighlyrespectedintheHouseofCommons，andtheSpeakercouldnotgetthroughthesessionwithouthim。Thenhedriftstoreligion。Godexists，noonecandenyit；infact，hehastheproofinhispocket。Outcomesapieceofpaper，andargumentsarereadaloud，whichhissonrecognisesasPalley’s。"Yes，theyarePalley’sarguments，buthehadthemfromme；almosteverythinginPalley’sbookhehadtakenfromme。"Theboyofnineteen，wholistensfumingtothisfolly，takesitallwithfatalseriousness。Inappearanceheisnoordinarybeing。Ashockofdarkbrownhairmakeshissmallroundheadlooklargerthanitreallyis；frombeneathapale，freckledforehead，deepblueeyes，largeandmildasastag’s，beamanearnestnesswhicheasilyflashesintoenthusiasm；thenoseissmallandturn-up，thebeardlesslipsgirlishandsensitive。Heistall，butstoops，andhasanairoffemininefragility，thoughhisbonesandjointsarelarge。
Handsandfeet，exquisitelyshaped，areexpressiveofhighbreeding。Hisexpensive，handsomeclothesaredisorderedanddusty，andbulgingwithbooks。Whenhespeaks，itisinastridentpeacockvoice，andthereisanabruptclumsinessinhisgestures，especiallyindrawing-rooms，whereheisillatease，liabletotripinthecarpetandupsetfurniture。
Completeabsenceofself-consciousness，perfectdisinterestedness，areevidentineverytone；itisclearthatheisanaristocrat，butitisalsoclearthatheisasaint。
ThecatastropheofexpulsionfromOxfordwouldhavebeenimpossibleinawell-regulateduniversity，butPercyByssheShelleycouldnothavefittedeasilyintoanysystem。BornatFieldPlace，Horsham，Sussex，onAugust4，1792，simultaneouslywiththeFrenchRevolution，hehadmorethanadropofwildnessinhisblood。ThelongpedigreeoftheShelleyfamilyisfullofturbulentancestors，andthepoet’sgrandfather，SirBysshe，aneccentricoldmiserwholiveduntil1815，hadbeenmarriedtwice，onbothoccasionselopingwithanheiress。AlreadyatEtonShelleywasarebelandapariah。Contemptuousofauthority，hehadgonehisownway，spendingpocket-moneyonrevolutionaryliterature，tryingtoraiseghosts，anddabblinginchemicalexperiments。Asoftenhappenstoqueerboys，hisschool-fellowsherdedagainsthim，pursuinghimwithblowsandcriesof"MadShelley。"Buttheholidayswerehappy。TheremusthavebeenplentyoffunatFieldPlacewhenhetoldhissistersstoriesaboutthealchemistintheatticor"theGreatTortoisethatlivedinWarnhamPond，"frightenedthemwithelectricshocks，andtaughthisbabybrothertosaydevil。
Thereissomethingofhigh-spiritedfunevenintherapturesanddespairsofhisfirstloveforhiscousin，HarrietGrove。
Hetriedtoconverthertorepublicanatheism，untilthefamily，becomingalarmed，interfered，andHarrietwasdisposedofotherwise。"Marriedtoaclodofearth！"exclaimsShelley。
Hespentnights"pacingthechurchyard，"andsleptwithaloadedpistolandpoisonbesidehim。
HewentintoresidenceatUniversityCollege，Oxford，intheMichaelmastermof1810。TheworldmustalwaysblessthechancewhichsentThomasJeffersonHoggafreshmantothesamecollegeatthesametime，andmadehimShelley’sfriend。ThechaptersinwhichHoggdescribestheirliveatOxfordarethebestpartofhisbiography。Intheselivelypageswesee，withalltheforceofreality，Shelleyworkingbyfitsinalitterofbooksandretortsand"galvanictroughs，"anddiscoursingonthevastpossibilitiesofscienceformakingmankindhappy；howchemistrywillturndesertsintocornfields，andeventheairandwaterwillyearfireandfood；howAfricawillbeexploredbyballoons，ofwhichtheshadows，passingoverthejungles，willemancipatetheslaves。Inthemidsthewouldrushouttoalectureonmineralogy，andcomebacksighingthatitwasallabout"stones，stones，stones"！ThefriendsreadPlatotogether，andheldendlesstalkofmetaphysics，pre-existence，andthescepticalphilosophy，onwinterwalksacrosscountry，andallnightbesidethefire，untilShelleywouldcurluponthehearthrugandgotosleep。Hewashappybecausehewaslefttohimself。Withallhisthoughtsandimpulses，ill-controlledindeed，butdirectedtotheacquisitionofknowledgeforthebenefitoftheworld，suchastudentwouldnowadaysbeamarkedman，applaudedandrestrained。ButtheOxfordofthatdaywasahomeof"charteredlaziness。"Anacademiccircleabsorbedinintriguesforpreferment，andenlivenedonlybydrunkennessandimmorality，couldoffernothingbutwhatwasrepugnanttoShelley。Heremainedasolitaryuntilthehandofauthorityfellandexpelledhim。
Hehadalwayshadahabitofwritingtostrangersonthesubjectsnexthisheart。OnceheapproachedMissFeliciaDorotheaBrowne（afterwardsMrs。Hemans），whohadnotbeenencouraging。Nowhalfinearnest，andhalfwithanimpishdesirefordialecticalscores，heprintedapamphleton’TheNecessityofAtheism’，asinglefoolscapsheetconciselyprovingthatnoreasonfortheexistenceofGodcanbevalid，andsentittovariouspersonages，includingbishops，askingforarefutation。Itfellintothehandsofthecollegeauthorities。Summonedbeforethecounciltosaywhetherhewastheauthor，Shelleyveryproperlyrefusedtoanswer，andwasperemptorilyexpelled，togetherwithHogg，whohadintervenedinhisbehalf。
ThepairwenttoLondon，andtooklodgingsinahousewhereawall-paperwithavine-trellispatterncaughtShelley’sfancy。
Mr。TimothyShelleyappearedonthescene，and，hisfeelingsasaChristianandafatherdeeplyoutraged，didtheworstthinghecouldpossiblyhavedone——hemadeforgivenessconditionalonhisson’sgivinguphisfriend。ThenextstepwastocutoffsuppliesandtoforbidFieldPlacetohim，lestheshouldcorrupthissisters’minds。SoonHogghadtogotoYorktoworkinaconveyancer’soffice，andShelleywasleftaloneinLondon，depressed，amartyr，anddeterminedtosaveothersfromsimilarpersecution。Inthismoodheformedaconnectiondestinedtoendintragedy。HissisterswereataschoolatClapham，whereamongthegirlswasoneHarrietWestbrook，thesixteen-year-olddaughterofacoffee-housekeeper。ShelleybecameintimatewiththeWestbrooks，andsetaboutsavingthesoulofHarriet，whohadaprettyrosyface，aneatfigure，andaglibschool-girlmindquicktocatchupandreproducehisdoctrines。Thechildseemstohavebeeninnocentenough，buthereldersister，Eliza，avulgarwomanofthirty，usedherasabaittoentanglethefuturebaronet；sheplayedonShelley’sfeelingsbyencouragingHarriettobelieveherselfthevictimoftyrannyatschool。Still，itwassixmonthsbeforehetookthefinalstep。HowhecouldsaveHarrietfromscholasticanddomesticbigotrywasagravequestion。Inthefirstplace，hatredof"matrimonialism"wasoneofhisprinciples，yetitseemedunfairtodragahelplesswomanintotherisksofillicitunion；inthesecondplace，hewasatthistimepassionatelyinterestedinanotherwoman，acertainMissHitchener，aSussexschoolmistressofrepublicananddeisticprinciples，whomheidealisedasanangel，onlytodiscoversoon，withequalfalsity，thatshewasademon。AtlastHarrietwasworkeduptothrowherselfonhisprotection。Theyfledbythenorthernmail，droppingatYorkasummonstoHoggtojointhem，andcontractedaScottishmarriageatEdinburghonAugust28，1811。
ThestoryofthetwoyearsandninemonthsduringwhichShelleylivedwithHarrietmustseeminsanetoarationalmind。Lifewasonecomfortlesspicnic。WhenShelleywantedfood，hewoulddartintoashopandbuyaloaforahandfulofraisins。
AlwaysaccompaniedbyEliza，theychangedtheirdwelling-placemorethantwelvetimes。Edinburgh，York，Keswick，Dublin，Nantgwillt，Lynmouth，Tremadoc，Tanyrallt，Killarney，London（HalfMoonStreetandPimlico），Bracknell，Edinburghagain，andWindsor，successivelyreceivedthisfantastichousehold。Eachfreshhousewastheonewheretheyweretoabideforever，andeachformedthebaseofoperationsforsomenewschemeofcomprehensivebeneficence。ThusatTremadoc，ontheWelshcoast，Shelleyembarkedontheconstructionofanembankmenttoreclaimadrownedtractofland；’QueenMab’waswrittenpartlyinDevonshireandpartlyinWales；andfromIreland，wherehehadgonetoregeneratethecountry，heopenedcorrespondencewithWilliamGodwin，thephilosopherandauthorof’PoliticalJustice’。Hisenergyinenteringuponecstaticpersonalrelationswasasgreatasthatwhichhethrewintophilanthropicschemes；buttherelations，liketheschemes，wereformedwithnonotionofadaptingmeanstoends，andwereoftendroppedashurriedly。ElizaWestbrook，atfirstawomanofestimablequalities，quicklybecame"ablindandloathsomewormthatcannotseetosting"，MissHitchener，whohadbeeninducedtogiveupherschoolandcometolivewiththem"forever，"wasdiscoveredtobea"browndemon，"andhadtobepensionedoff。Helovedhiswifeforatime，buttheydriftedapart，andhefoundconsolationinasentimentalattachmenttoaMrs。Boinvilleandherdaughter，CorneliaTurner，ladieswhoreadItalianpoetrywithhimandsangtoguitars。Harriethadbornehimadaughter，Ianthe，butsheherselfwasachild，whosoonweariedofphilosophyandofbeingtaughtLatin；naturallyshewantedfineclothes，fashion，asettlement。Eggedonbyhersister，shespentonplateandacarriagethemoneythatShelleywouldhavesquanderedonhumanityatlarge。Moneydifficultiesandnegotiationswithhisfatherwerethebackgroundofallthisperiod。OnMarch24，1814，hemarriedHarrietinchurch，tosettleanypossiblequestionastothelegitimacyofhischildren；buttheypartedsoonafter。
Attemptsweremadeatreconciliation，whichmighthave。
succeededhadnotShelleyduringthissummerdriftedintoaseriousandrelativelypermanentpassion。Hemadefinancialprovisionforhiswife，whogavebirthtoasecondchild，aboy，onNovember30，1814；but，asthemonthspassed，andShelleywasirrevocablyboundtoanother，shelostheartforlifeinthedrearinessofherfather’shouse。AnIrishofficertookherforhismistress，andonDecember10，1816，shewasfounddrownedintheSerpentine。TwentydayslaterShelleymarriedhissecondwife。
ThismarriagewastheresultofhiscorrespondencewithWilliamGodwin，whichhadripenedintointimacy，basedoncommunityofprinciples，withtheGodwinhousehold。Thephilosopher，ashort，stoutoldman，presided，withhisbigbaldhead，hisleadencomplexion，andhisairofadissentingminister，overaheterogeneousfamilyat41SkinnerStreet，Holborn，supportedinscramblingpovertybytheenergyofthesecondMrs。Godwin，whocarriedonabusinessofpublishingchildren’sbooks。InlettersofthetimeweseeMrs。Godwinasafatlittlewomaninablackvelvetdress，bad-temperedanduntruthful。"Sheisaverydisgustingwoman，andwearsgreenspectacles，"saidCharlesLamb。BesidesasmallsonoftheGodwins，thefamilycontainedfourothermembers——ClaraMaryJaneClairmontandCharlesClairmont（Mrs。Godwin’schildrenbyapreviousmarriage），FannyGodwin（asshewascalled），andMaryGodwin。
TheselasttwowerethedaughtersofMaryWollstonecraft，theauthorof’TheRightsofWomen’，thegreatfeminist，whohadbeenGodwin’sfirstwife。Fanny’sfatherwasascampcalledImlay，andMarywasGodwin’schild。
Marydislikedherstepmother，andwouldwanderonfinedaystoreadbesidehermother’sgraveinOldSt。PancrasChurchyard。
Thisgirlofseventeenhadastrongifrathernarrowmind；shewasimperious，ardent，andfirm-willed。Sheissaidtohavebeenverypale，withgoldenhairandalargeforehead，redeemedfromcommonplacebyhazeleyeswhichhadapiercinglook。Whensitting，sheappearedtobeofmorethanaverageheight；whenshestood，yousawthatshehadherfather’sstumpylegs。
Intellectually，andbythesolidityofhercharacter，shewasbetterfittedtobeShelley’smatethananyotherwomanheevercameacross。Itwasnaturalthatsheshouldbeinterestedinthisbrightcreature，fallenasfromanotherworldintotheirdingy，squabblingfamily。Ifitwasinevitablethatherinterest，touchedwithpity（forhewasindespairoverthecollapseofhislifewithHarriet），shouldquicklywarmtolove，wemustinsistthattherapturewithwhichheleapedtomeetherhadsomefoundationinreality。Thatshewasgiftedismanifestinherwritings——chiefly，nodoubt，in’Frankenstein’，composedwhenshehadShelleytofireherimagination；butherothernovelsarecompetent，andherlettersaretheworkofavigorousintellect。Shehadherlimitations。Shewasnotquitesofreefromconventionalityaseitherheorshebelieved；butonthewholetheywereneitherdeceivingthemselvesnoroneanotherwhentheyplightedfaithbyMaryWollstonecraft’sgrave。Withtheirprinciples，itwasnothingthatmarriagewasimpossible。WithouttheknowledgeoftheelderGodwins，theymadearrangementstoelope，andonJuly28，1814，crossedfromDovertoCalaisinanopenboat，takingJaneClairmontwiththemonthespurofthemoment。JanealsohadbeenunhappyinSkinnerStreet。ShewasaboutMary’sage，apert，olive-complexionedgirl，withastrongtasteforlife。
ShechangedhernametoClairebecauseitsoundedmoreromantic。
Mrs。GodwinpursuedthefugitivestoCalais，butinvain。
Shelleywasnowlaunchedonanewlifewithanewbride，and——afreakishtouch——accompaniedasbeforebyhisbride’ssister。
Themorehislifechanged，themoreitwasthesamething——thesameplungingwithoutforethought，thesamedisregardforallthatisconventionallydeemednecessary。Hiscourageisoftenpraised，andrightly，thoughweoughtnottoforgetthatignorance，andevenobtuseness，werelargeingredientsinit。
Asfarastheyhadanyplan，itwastoreachSwitzerlandandsettleonthebanksofsomelake，amidsublimemountainscenery，"forever。"Infact，thetourlastedbutsixweeks。
TheirdifficultiesbeganinParis，whereonlyanaccidentenabledShelleytoraisefunds。Thentheymovedslowlyacrosswar-wastedFrance，MaryandClaire，inblacksilkdresses，ridingbyturnsonamule，andShelleywalking。Childishhappinessglowsintheirjournals。FromTroyesShelleywrotetotheabandonedHarriet，inperfectgoodfaith，pressinghertojointheminSwitzerland。Thereweresprainedankles，dirtyinns，perfidiousanddisobligingdrivers——theordinarymisadventuresoftheroad，magnifiedathousandtimesbytheirhelplessness，andalltransfiguredinthepurplelightofyouthandtheintoxicationofliterature。AtlasttheyreachedtheLakeofLucerne，settledatBrunnen，andbeganfeverishlytoreadandwrite。Shelleyworkedatanovelcalled’TheAssassins’，andwehearofhim"sittingonarudepierbythelake"andreadingaloudthesiegeofJerusalemfromTacitus。
Soontheydiscoveredthattheyhadonlyjustenoughmoneylefttotakethemhome。Campwasstruckinhaste，andtheytravelleddowntheRhine。WhentheirboatwasdetainedatMarsluys，allthreesatwritinginthecabin——Shelleyhisnovel，Maryastorycalled’Hate’，andClaireastorycalled’TheIdiot’——untiltheyweretossedacrosstoEngland，andreachedLondonafterborrowingpassage-moneyfromthecaptain。
Thewinterwasspentinpoverty，dodgingcreditorsthroughthelabyrinthinegloomofthetown。ChronicembarrassmentwascausedbyShelley’sextravagantcredulity。Hisloveoftheastonishing，hisreadinesstobelievemerelybecauseathingwasimpossible，madehimthepreyofeveryimpostor。Knowingthathewasheirtoalargefortune，hewouldsubsidiseanyprojectoranygrievance，onlyprovideditwerewildenough。
Godwinespeciallywasarunningsorebothnowandlateron；thephilosopherwasatthebeginningofthatshabby’degringolade’
whichwastoendintheruinofhisself-respect。Inspiteofhisanti-matrimonialprinciples，hewasindignantathisdisciple’selopementwithhisdaughter，and，inspiteofhisphilosophy，hewasnotaboveabusingandsponginginthesamebreath。Theworstofthesedifficulties，however，cametoanendwhenShelley’sgrandfatherdiedonJanuary6，1815，andhewasable，afterlongnegotiations，tomakeanarrangementwithhisfather，bywhichhisdebtswerepaidandhereceivedanincomeof1000poundsayearinconsiderationofhisabandoninghisinterestinpartoftheestate。
Andnow，thefinancialmuddlepartlysmoothedout，hisgeniusbegantobloominthecongenialairofMary’scompanionship。
Thesummerof1815spentinramblesinvariouspartsofthecountry，sawthecreationofAlastor。Earlyin1816Marygavebirthtoherfirstchild，aboy，William，andinthespring，accompaniedbythebabyandClaire，theymadeasecondexpeditiontoSwitzerland。AlittleinadvanceanotherpoetleftEnglandforever。GeorgeGordon，LordByron，loadedwithfameandlaceratedbychagrin，wasbeginningtobearthroughEuropethat’pageantofhisbleedingheart"ofwhichthefirststepsarecelebratedin’ChildeHarold’。UnknowntoShelleyandMary，therewasalreadyalinkbetweenthemandtheluxurious"pilgrimofeternity’rollingtowardsGenevainhistravelling-carriage，withphysicianandsuite：ClairehadvisitedByroninthehopethathemighthelphertoemploymentatDruryLaneTheatre，and，insteadofgoingonthestage，hadbecomehismistress。Thusunited，butstrangelydissimilar，thetwopartiesconvergedontheLakeofGeneva，wherethepoetsmetforthefirsttime。Shelley，thoughjarredbyByron’sworldlinessandpride，wasimpressedbyhiscreativepower，andthedaystheyspentsailingonthelake，andwanderinginaregionhauntedbythespiritofRousseau，werefruitful。The’HymntoIntellectualBeauty’andthe’LinesonMontBlanc’
wereconceivedthissummer。InSeptembertheShelleyswerebackinEngland。
ButEngland，thoughhehadgoodfriendslikePeacockandtheLeighHunts，wasfullofprivateandpublictroubles，andwasnottoholdhimlong。Thecountrywasagitatedbyriotsduetounemployment。TheGovernment，frightenedandvindictive，wasmultiplyingtrialsfortreasonandblasphemouslibel，andShelleyfearedhemightbeputinthepilloryhimself。Mary’ssisterFanny，towhomhewasattached，killedherselfinOctober；Harriet’ssuicidefollowedinDecember；andinthesamewintertheWestbrooksbegantopreparetheircasefortheChancerysuit，whichendedinthepermanentremovalofHarriet’schildrenfromhiscustody，onthegroundsthathisimmoralconductandopinionsunfittedhimtobetheirguardian。
Hishealth，too，seemstohavebeenbad，thoughitishardtoknowpreciselyhowbad。Hewasliabletohallucinationsofallkinds；thelinebetweenimaginationandreality，whichordinarypeopledrawquitedefinitely，seemsscarcelytohaveexistedforhim。Therearemanystoriesastowhichitisdisputedhowfar，ifatall，realityismixedwithdream，asinthecaseofthemurderousassaulthebelievedtohavebeenmadeonhimonenightofwindandraininWales；oftheveiledladywhoofferedtojoinherlifetohis；oftheEnglishmanwho，hearinghimaskforlettersinthepost-officeatPisaorFlorence，exclaimed，"What，areyouthatdamnedatheistShelley？"andfelledhimtotheground。Oftenhewouldgohalffranticwithdelusions——asthathisfatherandunclewereplottingtoshuthimupinamadhouse，andthathisboyWilliamwouldbesnatchedfromhimbythelaw。Ghostsweremorefamiliartohimthanfleshandblood。Convincedthathewaswastingwithafataldisease，hewouldoftenmakehiscertaintyofearlydeaththepretextforabandoningsomeill-consideredscheme；butthereisprobablymuchexaggerationinthespasmsandtheconsumptivesymptomswhichfiguresoexcitedlyinhisletters。Hoggrelateshowheonceplaguedhimselfandhisfriendsbybelievingthathehadelephantiasis，andsaysthathewasreallyveryhealthyThetruthseemstobethathisconstitutionwasnaturallystrong，thoughweakenedfromtimetotimebyneuroticconditions，inwhichmentalpainbroughtonmuchphysicalpain，andbyirregularinfrequent，andscantymeals。
InFebruary1817hesettledatMarlowwithMaryandClaire。
Claire，asaresultofherintriguewithByron——ofwhichthefruitwasadaughter，Allegra，borninJanuary——wasnowapermanentchargeonhisaffectionategenerosity。Itseemedthattheirwanderingswereatlastover。AtMarlowhebusiedhimselfwithpoliticsandphilanthropy，andwrote’TheRevoltofIslam’。But，partlybecausetheclimatewasunsuitable，partlyfromoverworkinvisitingandhelpingthepoor，hishealthwasthoughttobeseriouslyendangered。InMarch1818，togetherwiththefivesoulsdependentonhim——Claireandherbaby，Maryandhertwobabies（asecond，Clara，hadbeenbornaboutsixmonthsbefore）——heleftEngland，nevertoreturn。
Marydislikedhotweather，butitalwaysputShelleyinspirits，andhisbestworkwasdonebeneaththesultryblueofItalianskies，floatinginaboatontheSerchioortheArno，bakinginaglazedcageontheroofofaTuscanvilla，orlyingamongtheruinsoftheColiseumorinthepine-woodsnearPisa。
TheirItalianwanderingsaretoointricatetobetracedindetailhere。Itwasachequeredtime，darkenedbydisasterandcheeredbyfriendships。Boththeirchildrendied，ClaraatVenicein1818，andWilliamathomein1819。Itisimpossiblenottobeamazedattheheedlessness——thelongjourneysinaroughforeignland，theabsenceofordinaryprovisionagainstailments——whichseemstohavecausedthedeathofthesebelovedlittlebeings。Thebirthin1819ofanotherson，Percy（whosurvivedtobecomeSirPercyShelley），broughtsomecomfort。
Claire’stroubles，again，wereaconstantanxiety。ShelleyworkedhardtopersuadeByroneithertoletherhaveAllegraortolookafterhisdaughterproperlyhimself；buthewasobdurate，andthechilddiedinaconventnearVenicein1822。
Shelley’sassociationwithByron，ofwhom，in’JulianandMaddalo’（1818），hehasdrawnapicturewiththedarkerfeaturesleftout，broughtasmuchpainaspleasuretoallconcerned。NodoubtByron’sspleneticcynicism，evenhisparadeofdebauchery，waslargelyanassumptionforthebenefitoftheworld；butbeneaththefrankness，thecheerfulness，thewitofhisintimateconversation，beneathhiscarefulcultivationofthegracesofaRegencybuck，hewasfundamentallyselfishandtreacherous。Providednoseriousdemandsweremadeuponhim，heenjoyedthesocietyofShelleyandhiscircle，andthetwoweremuchtogether，bothatVeniceandinthePalazzoLanfranchiatPisa，where，withamenagerieofanimalsandretainers，ByronhadinstalledhimselfinthosesurroundingsofOrientalostentationwhichitamusedhimtoaffect。
AmoreunalloyedfriendshipwasthatwiththeamiableGisbornefamily，settledatLeghorn；itsserenecheerfulnessisreflectedinShelley’scharmingrhymed’LettertoMariaGisborne’。Andearlyin1821theywerejoinedbyayoungcouplewhoprovedverycongenial。NedWilliamswasahalf-paylieutenantofdragoons，withliteraryandartistictastes，andhiswife，Jane，hadasweet，engagingmanner，andagoodsingingvoice。Thentherewasthee’citingdiscoveryoftheCountessEmiliaViviani，imprisonedinaconventbyajealousstep-mother。Allthreeofthem——Mary，Claire，andShelley——atoncefellinlovewiththeduskybeauty。ImpassionedletterspassedbetweenherandShelley，inwhichhewasher"dearbrother"andshehis"dearestsister"；butshewassoonfoundtobeaveryordinarycreature，andisonlyrememberedastheinstrumentchosenbychancetoinspire’Epipsychidion’。
Finallythereappeared，inJanuary1822，thetruest-heartedandthemostlovableofallShelley’sfriends。EdwardJohnTrelawny，acadetofaCornishfamily，"withhisknight-errantaspect，dark，handsome，andmoustachioed，"wasthetruebuccaneerofromance，butofhonestEnglishgrain，andwithoutatraceofpose。Thedevotionwithwhich，thoughheonlyknewShelleyforafewmonths，hefedinmemoryontheirfriendshiptothelastdayofhislife，bringshometous，asnothingelsecan，theforceofShelley’spersonalattraction；forthismanliveduntil1881，analmostsolitarysurvivorfromtheByronicage，andhislifecontainedmatterenoughtoswamprecollectionofhalf-a-dozenpoets。Itseemsthat，afterservinginthenavyanddesertingfromanEastIndiamanatBombay，hepassed，intheEasternArchipelago，throughtheincredibleexperiencesnarratedinhis’AdventuresofaYoungerSon’；andallthisbeforehewastwenty-one，forin1813hewasinEnglandandmarried。Thenhedisappeared，boredbycivilisation；nothingisknownofhimuntil1820，whenheturnsupinSwitzerlandinpursuitofsportandadventure。AfterShelley’sdeathhewenttoGreecewithByron，joinedtherebelchiefOdysseus，marriedhissisterTersitza，andwasnearlykilledindefendingacaveonMountParnassus。Throughthesubsequentyears，whichincludedwanderingsinAmerica，andanarrowescapefromdrowningintryingtoswimNiagara，hekeptpressingShelley’swidowtomarryhim。PerhapsbecausehewaspiquedbyMary’srefusal，hehasleftaratherunflatteringportraitofher。Hewasindignantatherdesiretosuppresspartsof’QueenMab’；
buthemighthaveadmiredthehonestywithwhichsheretained’Epipsychidion’，althoughthatpoemdescribesherasa"coldchastemoon。"Theoldsea-captaininSirJohnMillais’
picture，"TheNorth-WestPassage，"nowintheTateGalleryinLondon，isaportraitofTrelawnyinoldage。
ToreturntotheShelleys。Itwasdecidedthatthesummerof1822shouldbespentwiththeWilliamses，andaftersomesearchahousejustcapableofholdingbothfamilieswasfoundnearLerici，ontheeastsideoftheBayofSpezzia。Itwasalonely，wind-sweptplace，withitsfeetinthewaves。Thenativeswerehalf-savage；therewasnofurniture，andnofacilityforgettingprovisions。Theomensopenedbadly。Atthemomentofmovingin，newsofAllegra’sdeathcame；Shelleywasshakenandsawvisions，andMarydislikedtheplaceatfirstsight。Still，therewastheseawashingtheirterrace，andShelleylovedthesea（thereisscarcelyoneofhispoemsinwhichaboatdoesnotfigure，thoughitisusuallymadeofmoonstone）；and，whileWilliamsfanciedhimselfasanavigator，Trelawnywasreallyathomeonthewater。AcertainCaptainRobertswascommissionedtogetaboatbuiltatGenoa，whereByronalsowasfittingoutayacht，the’Bolivar’。Whenthe’Ariel’——forsotheycalledher——arrived，thefriendsweredelightedwithherspeedandhandiness。Shewasathirty-footer，withoutadeck，ketch-rigged。[1]Shelley’shealthwasgood，andthisJune，passedinbathing，sailing，reading，andhearingJanesingsimplemelodiestoherguitarinthemoonlight，wasagleamofhappinessbeforetheend。ItwasnotsohappyforMary，whowasillandoppressedwithhousekeepingfortwofamilies，andoverwhoserelationswithShelleyafilmofquerulousjealousyhadcrept。