Page:Shelley, a poem, with other writings (Thomson, Debell).djvu/116

98 the apparent contradiction between Act I. and Act II. Sc. I. Yours truly, .

[From W. M. Rossetti, Esq., in answer to the foregoing.]

21 April [1873] Here are one or two further replies, written without referring at the moment to Shelley's text. But there are still several points regarding Adonais and Hellas that I must answer about with the book before me, and all that you say concerning the Prometheus remains to be followed out. I expect to come to the same conclusion with yourself on most or all of these Prometheus matters; nor do I think that the literal verification of the time of action, &c. (conducted in such a spirit as yours) is at all out of place—the only proviso being that, whether or not Shelley proves to be wrong in these matters, the rank of the poem remains exactly where it stood before.

I am truly indebted to you in all these Shelley matters, and should feel it a great pleasure to make the personal acquaintance of so keen a critic, and (what is much better) so true a poet. Would you give me a call some evening? I am here at Euston Sq. almost all evenings from (say) 7½, hardly ever going out (expect however to be away on 3 and 4 May). On one evening of each week I am at a different house; 16 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea: this is Tuesday evening from about same hour. Cheyne Walk would be more convenient to you in point of situation: but anything I