The first American edition of Shelley's complete poetry since 1892—with more poems, fragments, and collations than any previous collective edition. Winner of the Richard J. Finneran Award of the Society for Textual Scholarship, CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title of the Choice ACRL A milestone in literary scholarship, the publication of the Johns Hopkins edition of The Complete Poetry of Percy Bysshe Shelley makes available for the first time critically edited clear texts of all poems and translations that Shelley published or circulated among friends, as well as diplomatic texts of his significant incomplete poetic drafts and fragments. Edited upon historical principles by Donald H. Reiman and Neil Fraistat, the multi volume edition will offer more poems and fragments than any previous collective edition, arranged in the order of their first circulation. These texts are followed by the most extensive collations hitherto available and detailed commentaries that describe their contextual origins and subsequent reception. Rejected passages of released poems appear as supplements to those poems, while other poetic drafts that Shelley rejected or left incomplete at his death will be grouped according to either their publication histories or the notebooks in which they survive. Volume One includes Shelley's first four works containing poetry (all prepared for publication before his expulsion from Oxford), as well as "The Devil's Walk" (circulated in August 1812), and a series of short poems that he sent to friends between 1809 and 1814, including a bawdy satire on his parents and "Oh wretched mortal," a poem never before published. An appendix discusses poems lost or erroneously attributed to the young Shelley. "These early poems are important not only biographically but also aesthetically, for they provide detailed evidence of how Shelley went about learning his craft as a poet, and the differences between their tone and that of his mature short poetry index a radical change in his self-image . . . The poems in Volume I, then, demonstrate Shelley's capacity to write verse in a range of stylistic registers. This early verse, even in its most abandoned forays into Sensibility, the Gothic, political satire, and vulgarity—perhaps especially in these most apparently idiosyncratic gestures—provides telling access to its own cultural moment, as well as to Shelley's art and thought in general."—from the Editorial Overview

Winner of the 2013 Richard J. Finneran Award, Society for Textual ScholarshipOutstanding Academic Title, Choice "His name is Percy Bysshe Shelley, and he is the author of a poetical work entitled Alastor, or the Spirit of Solitude.” With these words, the radical journalist and poet Leigh Hunt announced his discovery in 1816 of an extraordinary talent within “a new school of poetry rising of late.” The third volume of the acclaimed edition of The Complete Poetry of Percy Bysshe Shelley includes Alastor, one of Shelley’s first major works, and all the poems that Shelley completed, for either private circulation or publication, during the turbulent years from 1814 to March 1818: Hymn to Intellectual Beauty, Mont Blanc, Laon and Cythna, as well as shorter pieces, such as his most famous sonnet, Ozymandias. It was during these years that Shelley, already an accomplished and practiced poet with three volumes of published verse, authored two major volumes, earned international recognition, and became part of the circle that was later called the Younger Romantics. As with previous volumes, extensive discussions of the poems’ composition, influences, publication, circulation, reception, and critical history accompany detailed records of textual variants for each work. Among the appendixes are Mary W. Shelley’s 1839 notes on the poems for these years, a table of the forty-two revisions made to Laon and Cythna for its reissue as The Revolt of Islam, and Shelley’s errata list for the same. It is in the works included in this volume that the recognizable and characteristic voice of Shelley emerges—unmistakable, consistent, and vital.

Writing to his publisher in 1813, Shelley expressed the hope that two of his major works should form one volume; nearly two centuries later, the second volume of the Johns Hopkins edition of The Complete Poetry fulfills that wish for the first time. This volume collects two important pieces: Queen Mab and The Esdaile Notebook. ... The poems are presented as Shelley intended, with textual variants included in footnotes. Following the poems are extensive discussions of the circumstances of their composition and the influences they reflect; their publication or circulation by other means; their reception at the time of publication and in the decades since; their re-publication, both authorized and unauthorized; and their place in Shelley's intellectual and aesthetic development. --Johns Hopkins University Press.

Percy Bysshe Shelley's 'The Complete Poems of Percy Bysshe Shelley' is a collection of the renowned poet's poetic works. Known for his revolutionary lyrical style and themes of political and social change, Shelley's poems are characterized by vivid imagery, intellectual depth, and emotional intensity. The collection includes acclaimed works such as 'Ode to the West Wind,' 'To a Skylark,' and 'Ozymandias'. Shelley's poetry is often associated with the Romantic Movement, reflecting his belief in the power of the imagination and the importance of individual expression. His works continue to captivate readers with their timeless relevance and profound insights into the human experience. Percy Bysshe Shelley, a prominent figure in English Romantic poetry, was a passionate advocate for social reform and political activism. His radical views and commitment to social justice are evident in his poetry, which challenges conventional beliefs and explores themes of freedom, love, and the power of art. Shelley's personal life, marked by tragedy and controversy, greatly influenced his writing, contributing to the depth and passion of his poetic works. I highly recommend 'The Complete Poems of Percy Bysshe Shelley' to readers interested in exploring the beauty and complexity of Romantic poetry. Shelley's timeless verses offer profound reflections on the human condition and inspire readers to contemplate the enduring power of art and creativity in shaping society and individual consciousness.

The Complete Poetry of Percy Bysshe Shelley is a comprehensive collection of the illustrious poet's works, showcasing his unique style of romantic writing filled with vivid imagery and profound themes. Shelley's poetry often explores themes of nature, politics, and the human spirit, making him a key figure in the Romantic movement. This collection includes iconic poems such as 'Ode to the West Wind' and 'Ozymandias', showcasing Shelley's mastery of the craft and his ability to evoke powerful emotions in his readers. The collection also features lesser-known works that further highlight Shelley's versatility and literary genius. The lyrical beauty and timeless relevance of Shelley's poetry make this collection a must-read for any lover of literature and poetry. Percy Bysshe Shelley, a prominent Romantic poet, was known for his rebellious spirit and passionate advocacy for social justice. His personal experiences and political beliefs heavily influenced his poetry, as seen in works such as 'The Mask of Anarchy'. Through his writing, Shelley aimed to inspire social change and challenge societal norms, making him a revolutionary figure in the literary world. His dedication to his craft and his unwavering commitment to his ideals shine through in every line of his poetry. I highly recommend The Complete Poetry of Percy Bysshe Shelley to readers who appreciate lyrical poetry that delves into the complexities of human existence and society. Shelley's timeless words continue to resonate with readers today, offering profound insights and stirring emotions that are sure to leave a lasting impact.

Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822) was one of the major Romantic poets, and wrote what is critically recognised as some of the finest lyric poetry in the English language. This is the third volume of the five-volume The Poems of Shelley, which presents all of Shelley’s poems in chronological order and with full annotation. Date and circumstances of composition are provided for each poem and all manuscript and printed sources relevant to establishing an authoritative text are freshly examined and assessed. Headnotes and footnotes furnish the personal, literary, historical and scientific information necessary to an informed reading of Shelley’s varied and allusive verse. Most of the poems in the present volume were composed between autumn 1819 and autumn 1820. The poems written in response to the political crisis in England following the ‘Peterloo’ massacre in August 1819 feature largely, among them The Mask of Anarchy and 'An Ode (Arise, arise, arise!)'. The popular songs, which Shelley intended to gather into a volume to inspire reformers from the labouring classes, several accompanied by significantly new textual material recovered from draft manuscripts, are included, as are the important political works 'Ode to Liberty', 'Ode to Naples' and Oedipus Tyrannus, Shelley's burlesque Greek tragedy on the Queen Caroline affair. Other major poems featured include 'The Sensitive-Plant', 'Ode to the West Wind', 'Letter to Maria Gisborne', an exuberant translation from the ancient Greek of the Homeric 'Hymn to Mercury', and the brilliantly inventive 'The Witch of Atlas'. In addition to accompanying commentaries, there are extensive bibliographies, a chronology of Shelley’s life, and indexes to titles and first lines. Leigh Hunt's informative Preface of 1832 to The Mask of Anarchy is also included as an Appendix. The volumes of The Poems of Shelley form the most comprehensive edition of Shelley's poetry available to students and scholars.