To Madam Frodo from your dear Lady Samwise

To Madam Frodo from you dearest Lady Samwise...I hope this makes you smile.

A note from Shelly to Jane...
" I sate down to write some words for an ariette which might be profane--but it was in vain to struggle with the ruling spirit, who compelled me to speak of things sacred to yours & Wilhelmeister's {Edward Williams} indulgence--I committ them to your secrecy & your mercy and will try and do better another time.


To Jane

The keen stars were twinkling
And the fair moon was rising amoung them,
Dear Jane.
The guitar was tinkling
But the notes were not sweet 'till you sung them
Again.--
As the moon's soft splendour
O'er the faint cold starlight of Heaven
Is thrown--
So your voice most tender
To the strings without soul had then given
Its own.

The stars will awaken,
Though the moon sleep a full hour later,
Tonight:
No leaf will be shaken
While the dews of your melody scatter
Delight.
Though the sound overpowers
Sing again, with your dear voice revealing
A tone
Of some world far from ours,
Where music and moonlight and feeling
are one.

Percy Bysshe Shelly