‘How pale and cold thou art in thy despair’

How pale and cold thou art in thy despair' one who from many mourners might be chosen to imitate the very peak of grief. The book was published in V&P. The lines may date from the days following the death of William Shelley in Rome on 7 June 1819, and would then refer to Mary's deep depression following that event. S wrote to Peacock two months after William's death that 'Poor Mary's spirits continue dreadfully depressed' and there is no doubt that the shock of this second death affected Mary's spirits profoundly, and quite possibly throughout the remainder of her life with S. These lines may alternatively date from September 1818 and the death of Clara in Venice; S's letter to Claire Clairmont of 25 September, giving her the news, describes Mary 'in the most dreadful distress'.