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Animal Rights History Timeline » [1785-1837] Romantic Age » Percy Bysshe Shelley

Percy Bysshe Shelley

Alastor; or the Spirit of Solitude

[1815] Percy Bysshe Shelly, Alastor; or the Spirit of Solitude in The Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley, edited by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (London, 1849; Google Books: Online Library of Free eBooks).

EARTH, ocean, air, beloved brotherhood!
If our great Mother have imbued my soul?
With aught of natural piety to feel
Your love, and recompense the boon with mine;
If dewy morn, and odorous noon, and even,
With sunset and its gorgeous ministers,
And solemn midnight's tingling silentness;
If autumn's hollow sighs in the sere wood,
And winter robing with pure snow and crowns
Of starry ice the gray grass and bare boughs;
If spring's voluptuous paintings when she breathes
Her first sweet kisses, have been dear to me;
If no bright bird, insect, or gentle beast
I consciously have injured, but still loved
And cherished these my kindred:—then forgive
This boast, beloved brethren, and withdraw
No portion of your wonted favour now! (60)