[Variant 49:
1820.
Joy on ... 1819.]
[Variant 50:
1836.
... an endless shout, The long dry see-saw ... 1819.]
[Variant 51:
1836.
And Peter now uplifts his eyes; Steady the moon doth look and clear, And like themselves the rocks appear, And tranquil are the skies, 1819.
And quiet are the skies. 1820.]
[Variant 52:
1836.
Whereat, in resolute mood, once more He stoops the a.s.s"s neck to seize-- Foul purpose, quickly put to flight!
For in the pool a startling sight Meets him, beneath the shadowy trees. 1819.]
[Variant 53:
1819.
... the gallows ... 1832.
The text of 1836 returns to that of 1819.]
[Variant 54:
1836.
Or a gay ring of shining fairies, Such as pursue their brisk vagaries 1819.]
[Variant 55: In the two editions of 1819 only.
Is it a party in a parlour?
Cramm"d just as they on earth were cramm"d-- Some sipping punch, some sipping tea, But, as you by their faces see, All silent and all d.a.m.n"d! [a]]
[Variant 56:
1827.
A throbbing pulse the Gazer hath-- Puzzled he was, and now is daunted; 1819.]
[Variant 57:
1836.
Like one intent upon a book--1819.]
[Variant 58:
1836.
And drops, a senseless weight, ... 1819.]
[Variant 59:
1827.
A happy respite!--but he wakes;-- And feels the glimmering of the moon-- And to stretch forth his hands is trying;-- Sure, when he knows where he is lying, He"ll sink into a second swoon. 1819.]
[Variant 60:
1827.
... placid ... 1819.]
[Variant 61:
1827.
So, faltering not in _this_ intent, He makes his staff an instrument The river"s depth to sound--1819.
So toward the stream his head he bent, And downward thrust his staff, intent To reach the Man who there lay drowned.--1820.]
[Variant 62:
1836.