To unperplex bliss from its neighbour pain; Why this fair creature chose so faerily 195 200 205 210 215 She saw the young Corinthian Lycius (192) In the manuscript, her for its. (196) The manuscript reads Their for Its. (198) Compare with this line Tennyson's now constantly quoted phrase, sweet girl-graduates, in the Prologue to The Princess. (212) The words far Piazzian line were written in the first instance; but far was struck out in favour of long. As far stands in the first edition, I presume Keats restored it on reconsideration. Like a young Jove with calm uneager face, 220 225 Fresh anchor'd; whither he had been awhile 230 Waits with high marble doors for blood and incense rare. Thoughtless at first, but ere eve's star appeared 235 240 245 (225) Originally, In harbour Cencreas, altered with the same result as regards the accent as in line 174. (236) The manuscript reads platonian shades But Orpheus-like at an Eurydice; For so delicious were the words she sung, It seem'd he had lov'd them a whole summer long: 250 Leaving no drop in the bewildering cup, Due adoration, thus began to adore; Her soft look growing coy, she saw his chain so sure: "Leave thee alone! Look back! Ah, Goddess, see "Whether my eyes can ever turn from thee! 255 "For pity do not this sad heart belie "Even as thou vanishest so I shall die. 260 "Stay! though a Naiad of the rivers, stay! "To thy far wishes will thy streams obey: "Stay! though the greenest woods be thy domain, 265 "Of thine harmonious sisters keep in tune "Thy spheres, and as thy silver proxy shine? "So sweetly to these ravish'd ears of mine "Came thy sweet greeting, that if thou shouldst fade "Thy memory will waste me to a shade :— 270 "For pity do not melt!"—" If I should stay," (260) After this line, the manuscript has an additional one, an Alexandrine Thou to Elysium gone, here for the vultures I. The suppositions of Lycius as to who the fair apparition may be recall curiously the surmises of Endymion concerning his mistress's identity. See Book II, lines 689-96. (270) Thy memory, the reading of the first edition, is also the original reading of the manuscript, where however the words are altered to Their memories. Said Lamia, "here, upon this floor of clay, "And pain my steps upon these flowers too rough, "Over these hills and vales, where no joy is,— " 275 "Thou art a scholar, Lycius, and must know "That finer spirits cannot breathe below 280 "In human climes, and live: Alas! poor youth, "What taste of purer air hast thou to soothe My essence? What serener palaces, "Where I may all my many senses please, "And by mysterious sleights a hundred thirsts appease? It cannot be-Adieu!" So said, she rose Tiptoe with white arms spread. He, sick to lose 286 The amorous promise of her lone complain, 290 Of sorrow for her tender favourite's woe, The life she had so tangled in her mesh : 295 And as he from one trance was wakening Into another, she began to sing, Happy in beauty, life, and love, and every thing, A song of love, too sweet for earthly lyres, While, like held breath, the stars drew in their panting fires. 300 (272) In the manuscript the word here does not occur in this line. (287) Alternative readings of the manuscript, Tiptoe with white spread arms, and On tiptoe with white arms. And then she whisper'd in such trembling tone, Than throbbing blood, and that the self-same pains And next she wonder'd how his eyes could miss 305 310 315 The Adonian feast; whereof she saw no more, 320 But wept alone those days, for why should she adore? Lycius from death awoke into amaze, To see her still, and singing so sweet lays; Then from amaze into delight he fell (303) The manuscript reads though for through. Lycius from death woke into an amaze... 325 |