REPLY
TO THE
ANTI-MATRIMONIAL HYPOTHESIS
AND
SUPPOSED ATHEISM
OF
PERCY BYSSCHE SHELLEY,
AS LAID DOWN
IN
QUEEN MAB.
"Those to whom Heaven has been in wit profuse,
Want as much more, to turn it to its use."—Pope.
LONDON:
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED, BY W. CLARKE, 396, STRAND.
1821.
TO THE
PUBLISHER OF QUEEN MAB.
You have probably thought yourself conferring a benefit on the literary world, by the re-publication of Queen Mab. I say the literary world; for the splendid edition you have published, plainly indicates you did not intend to circulate it among those whom a certain portion of the press would call the "rabble readers. I do not dispute your motives; and I can readily agree that the glittering, though frequently illusive, beauties of the poem deserve preservation. As far as he wages war against positive errors of religion, and government, it is not my purpose to endeavour to confute his principles; but since he attacks an institution which I conceive to be the bond of the social union, I cannot allow the opportunity to pass without entering a decided protest against his anti-matrimonial hypothesis. He will have other, and abler opponents, on other topics; and perhaps on this;—but lest no one should accept his challenge of defiance to matrimony, I appeal to your impartiality, for the publication of the following pages.
"I would not hear your enemies say so;
Nor shall you do mine ear that violence,
To make it truster of your own report,
Against yourself."
THE AUTHOR.