Huxley Scientific Press [Oxford]
Aged 19, Shelley flooded it with a pamphlet
On ‘The Necessity Of Atheism’.
Which he could only get printed in Worthing
Since no one in Oxford would touch it.
For adopting close-cropped military styles
As a homage to Wellington’s troops
Then engaged in a superfluous Peninsular War.
Shelley adopted an ideological haircut.
He’d find in its place a branch of Lloyds TSB –
A fluorescent temple to the Golden Calf;
No letterpress pamphlets lovingly sewn, but colour brochures
Inviting conversion to the bankers’ religion.
Mr. Williams’s SHELLEY AT OXFORD is brilliant. Thank you Jan Herman for the fine headsup. — N.O.Mustill