1. 4. As in the accents of an unknown land He sang new sorrow. It is not very clear why Shelley should represent that he, as one of the Mountain Shepherds, used a language different (as one might infer) from that of his companions.  All those whom he particularizes were his compatriots.  Perhaps however Shelley merely means that the language (English) was that of a land unknown to the Greek deity Aphrodite Urania.  The phrase ‘new sorrow’ occurs in the Elegy by Moschus (p. 65).  By the use of this phrase Shelley seems to mean not merely that the death of Keats was a recent and sorrowful event, but more especially that it constituted a new sorrow—­one more sorrow—­to Shelley himself.

11. 3, 5.  I reproduce the punctuation of the Pisan edition, with a colon after ‘his own,’ and a semicolon after ‘sorrow.’  It appears to me however that the sense would rather require either a full stop after ‘his own,’ and a comma after ‘sorrow,’ or else a comma after ‘his own,’ and a full stop or colon after ‘sorrow.’  Yet it is possible that the phrase, ‘As in the accents,’ &c., forms a separate clause by itself, meaning, ’As if in the accents of an unknown land, he sang new sorrow.’

11. 8, 9. Made bare his branded and ensanguined brow, Which was like Cain’s or Christ’s. Shelley represents his own brow as being branded like Cain’s—­stamped with the mark of reprobation; and ensanguined like Christ’s—­bleeding from a crown of thorns.  This indicates the extreme repugnance with which he was generally regarded, and in especial perhaps the decree of the Court of Chancery which deprived him of his children by his first marriage—­and generally the troubles and sufferings which he had undergone.  The close coupling-together, in this line, of the names of Cain and Christ, was not likely to conciliate antagonists; and indeed one may safely surmise that it was done by Shelley more for the rather wanton purpose of exasperating them than with any other object.—­In this stanza Urania appears for the last time.

+Stanza 35,+ 1, 1. What softer voice is hushed over the dead? The personage here referred to is Leigh Hunt.  See p. 45.

1. 6. Gentlest of the wise. It is apparent that Shelley entertained a very sincere affection and regard for Leigh Hunt.  He dedicated to Hunt the tragedy of The Cenci, using the following expressions among others:  ’Had I known a person more highly endowed than yourself with all that it becomes a man to possess, I had solicited for this work the ornament of his name.  One more gentle, honourable, innocent, and brave; one of more exalted toleration for all who do and think evil, and yet himself more free from evil; one who knows better how to receive and how to confer a benefit, though he must ever confer far more than he can receive; one of simpler and (in the highest sense of the word) of purer life and manners, I never knew:  and I had already been fortunate in friendships when your name was added to the list.’