 His socialist activism monopolised his time , forcing him to abandon a translation of the Persian Shahnameh . It also led to him seeing far less of Burne @-@ Jones , with whom he had strong political differences ; although once a republican , Burne @-@ Jones had become increasingly conservative , and felt that the DF were exploiting Morris for his talents and influence . While Morris devoted much time to trying to convert his friends to the cause , of Morris ' circle of artistic comrades , only Webb and Faulkner fully embraced socialism , while Swinburne expressed his sympathy with it . 
