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TO CONSTANTIA. [Dated 1817 by Mrs. Shelley, and printed by her in the “Poetical Works”, 1839, 1st edition. A copy exists amongst the Shelley manuscripts at the Bodleian. See Mr. C.D. Locock’s “Examination”, etc., 1903, page 46.]

1. The rose that drinks the fountain dew In the pleasant air of noon, Grows pale and blue with altered hue— In the gaze of the nightly moon; For the planet of frost, so cold and bright, Makes it wan with her borrowed light.

2. Such is my heart—roses are fair, And that at best a withered blossom; But thy false care did idly wear Its withered leaves in a faithless bosom; And fed with love, like air and dew, Its growth—

NOTES: _1 The rose]The red Rose B. _2 pleasant]fragrant B. _6 her omitted B.

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