The work by Shelley which is here printed for the first time is contained in about 200 pages of a small vellum-covered notebook, which includes also a few jottings for poems, and casual scribblings. It was in the possession of Lady Shelley, the poet's daughter-in-law. By her it was presented to her friend the Rev. Stopford A. Brooke, on whose death, in March 191 6, it came to his daughter, the wife of the present writer, with the wish that I should examine it, and if it seemed desirable give it to the world. This was a labour of love, but also, owing to the character of the MS., one of considerable difficulty, and it could not be thought of until the claims of work in connexion with the war were at an end. The present edition is the answer to the question which I had to decide, and I trust I shall be held justified in believing that so important a work of Shelley's prime should no longer be left unpublished.