as well as in the subtler discriminations of metaphysical and religious doctrine, it is still more crude and immature.  I am a devoted enemy to religious, political, and domestic oppression; and I regret this publication, not so much from literary vanity, as because I fear it is better fitted to injure than to serve the sacred cause of freedom.  I have directed my solicitor to apply to Chancery for an injunction to restrain the sale; but, after the precedent of Mr. Southey’s “Wat Tyler” (a poem written, I believe, at the same age, and with the same unreflecting enthusiasm), with little hope of success.

’Whilst I exonerate myself from all share in having divulged opinions hostile to existing sanctions, under the form, whatever it may be, which they assume in this poem, it is scarcely necessary for me to protest against the system of inculcating the truth of Christianity or the excellence of Monarchy, however true or however excellent they may be, by such equivocal arguments as confiscation and imprisonment, and invective and slander, and the insolent violation of the most sacred ties of Nature and society.

’SIR,

’I am your obliged and obedient servant,

’PERCY B. SHELLEY.

‘Pisa, June 22, 1821.’

***

[Of the following pieces the “Original Poetry by Victor and Cazire”, the Poems from “St. Irvyne, or The Rosicrucian”, “The Posthumous Fragments of Margaret Nicholson” and “The Devil’s Walk”, were published by Shelley himself; the others by Medwin, Rossetti, Forman and Dowden, as indicated in the several prefatory notes.]

VERSES ON A CAT.

[Published by Hogg, “Life of Shelley”, 1858; dated 1800.]

1. 
A cat in distress,
Nothing more, nor less;
Good folks, I must faithfully tell ye,
As I am a sinner,
It waits for some dinner 5
To stuff out its own little belly.

2. 
You would not easily guess
All the modes of distress
Which torture the tenants of earth;
And the various evils, 10
Which like so many devils,
Attend the poor souls from their birth.

3. 
Some a living require,
And others desire
An old fellow out of the way; 15
And which is the best
I leave to be guessed,
For I cannot pretend to say.

4. 
One wants society,
Another variety, 20
Others a tranquil life;
Some want food,
Others, as good,
Only want a wife.

5. 
But this poor little cat 25
Only wanted a rat,
To stuff out its own little maw;
And it were as good
SOME people had such food,
To make them HOLD THEIR JAW! 30

***