[Variant 52:
1836.
By floods, that, thundering from their dizzy height, Swell more gigantic on the stedfast sight; Black drizzling crags, that beaten by the din, Vibrate, as if a voice complained within; Bare steeps, where Desolation stalks afraid, Unstedfast, by a blasted yew unstayed; By cells whose image, trembling as he prays, Awe-struck, the kneeling peasant scarce surveys; Loose hanging rocks the Day"s bless"d eye that hide, And crosses reared to Death on every side, Which with cold kiss Devotion planted near, And bending water"d with the human tear; That faded "silent" from her upward eye, Unmoved with each rude form of Danger nigh, 1815.]
[Variant 53:
1836.
On as we move a softer prospect opes, Calm huts, and lawns between, and sylvan slopes. 1815.]
[Variant 54:
1845.
While mists, suspended on the expiring gale, Moveless o"er-hang the deep secluded vale, 1815.
Where mists, 1836.
Where mists suspended on the evening gale, Spread roof-like o"er a deep secluded vale, C.
Given to clear view beneath a h.o.a.ry veil Of mists suspended on the evening gale. MS.]
[Variant 55:
1836.
The beams of evening, slipping soft between, Light up of tranquil joy a sober scene. 1815.
Gently illuminate a sober scene; 1827.]
[Variant 56: In the editions 1815-1832 ll. 214, 215 follow, instead of preceding, ll. 216-219.]
[Variant 57:
1845.
On the low brown wood-huts delighted sleep Along the brightened gloom reposing deep. 1815.
Here, on the brown wood-cottages they sleep, There, over lawns and sloping woodlands creep. 1836.
There, over lawn or sloping pasture creep. C.]
[Variant 58:
1845.
Winding its dark-green wood and emerald glade, The still vale lengthens underneath the shade; While in soft gloom the scattering bowers recede, Green dewy lights adorn the freshened mead, 1815.
Winding its darksome wood and emerald glade, The still vale lengthens underneath the shade Of low-hung vapour: on the freshened mead The green light sparkles;--the dim bowers recede. 1836.]
[Variant 59:
1836.
... drizzling ... 1815.]
[Variant 60:
1845.
... my soul awake, Lo! Fear looks silent down on Uri"s lake; Where by the unpathwayed margin still and dread Was never heard the plodding peasant"s tread: 1815.]
[Variant 61:
1845.
Tower like a wall the naked rocks, or reach Far o"er the secret water dark with beech; 1815.
Tower-like rise up the naked rocks, or stretch 1836.]
[Variant 62:
1845.
More high, to where creation seems to end, Shade above shade the desert pines ascend. 1815.
... the aerial pines ... 1820.
Shade above shade, the aerial pines ascend, Nor stop but where creation seems to end. 1836.]
[Variant 63:
1845.
(Compressing eight lines into four.)
Yet, with his infants, man undaunted creeps And hangs his small wood-hut upon the steeps, Where"er, below, amid the savage scene Peeps out a little speck of smiling green.