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[Footnote: _Monody on Henry Headley._]
We can never know. But with Shelley, it becomes evident that
tuberculosis is the typical poet's complaint. Shelley was convinced that
he himself was destined to die of it. The irreverent Hogg records that
Shelley was also afraid of death from elephantiasis, [Footnote: T. J.
Hogg, _Life of Shelley_, p. 458.] but he keeps that affliction out
of his verse. So early as the composition of the _Revolt of Islam_,
Shelley tells us of himself, in the introduction,
Death and love are yet contending for their prey,
and in _Adonais_ he appears as
A power
Girt round with weakness.
* * * * *
A light spear ...
Vibrated, as the everbeating heart
Shook the weak hand that grasped it.
Shelley's imaginary poet, Lionel, gains in poetical sensibility as
consumption saps his strength:
You might see his colour come and go,
And the softest strain of music made
Sweet smiles, yet sad, arise and fade
Amid the dew of his tender eyes;
And the breath with intermitting flow
Made his pale lips quiver and part.


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