im a thousand times! 1115

This Peter sees, while in the shade
He stood beside the cottage-door;
And Peter Bell, the ruffian wild,
Sobs loud, he sobs even like a child,
"Oh! God, I can endure no more!" 1120

--Here ends my Tale: for in a trice
Arrived a neighbour with his horse;
Peter went forth with him straightway;
And, with due care, ere break of day,
Together they brought back the Corse. 1125

And many years did this poor Ass,
Whom once it was my luck to see
Cropping the shrubs of Leming-Lane,
Help by his labour to maintain
The Widow and her family. 1130

And Peter Bell, who, till that night,
Had been the wildest of his clan,
Forsook his crimes, renounced [121] his folly,
And, after ten months' melancholy,
Became a good and honest man. [K] 1135

* * * * *

VARIANTS ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1: 1827.

And something 1819.]

[Variant 2:

1849.

Whose shape is like 1819.

For shape just like 1845.]

[Variant 3:

1845.

The noise of danger fills 1819.]

[Variant 4:

1827.

Meanwhile I from the helm admire 1819.

... I soberly admire C.]

[Variant 5:

1827.

Or deep into the heavens 1819.
Or into massy clouds 1820.]

[Variant 6:

1820.

... between ... 1819.]

[Variant 7:

1827.

... are ill-built,
But proud let him be who has seen them; 1819.]

[Variant 8:

1827.

... between ... 1819.]

[Variant 9:

1827.

That darling speck ... 1819.]

[Variant 10:

1836.

And there it is, ... 1819.]

[Variant 11:

1827

... heartless ... 1819.]

[Variant 12:

In the editions of 1819 and 1820 only.

Out--out--and, like a brooding hen,
Beside your sooty hearth-stone cower;
Go, creep along the dirt, and pick
Your way with your good walking-stick,
Just three good miles an hour!]

[Variant 13:

1827.

... the land ... 1819.]

[Variant 14:

1845.

My radiant Pinnace, you forget 1819.]

[Variant 15:

1827.

For I myself, in very truth, 1819.]

[Variant 16:

1845.

Off flew my sparkling Boat in scorn,
Yea in a trance of indignation! 1819.

Spurning her freig