The Complete Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley (ed. Hutchinson, 1914)/Time Long Past

by Percy Bysshe Shelley

TIME LONG PAST

[Published by Rossetti, Complete P. W. of P. B. S., 1870. This is one of three poems (cf. Love's Philosophy and Good-Night) transcribed by Shelley in a copy of Leigh Hunt's Literary Pocket-Book for 1819 presented by him to Miss Sophia Stacey, December 29, 1820.]

ILike the ghost of a dear friend deadIs Time long past.A tone which is now forever fled, A hope which is now forever past, A love so sweet it could not last, 5Was Time long past.

IIThere were sweet dreams in the nightOf Time long past:And, was it sadness or delight,Each day a shadow onward cast 10Which made us wish it yet might last—That Time long past.

IIIThere is regret, almost remorse,For Time long past. 'Tis like a child's belovèd corse 15A father watches, till at last Beauty is like remembrance, castFrom Time long past.