t add,
His heart was not a little glad
When he was out of the old quarry.]

[Variant 32:

1827.

Across that ... 1819.]

[Variant 33:

1836.

And now he is among the trees; 1819.]

[Variant 34:

"No doubt I'm founder'd in these woods--
For once," quoth he, "I will be wise,
With better speed I'll back again--
And, lest the journey should prove vain,
Will take yon Ass, my lawful prize!"

Off Peter hied,--"A comely beast!
Though not so plump as he might be;
My honest friend, with such a platter,
You should have been a little fatter,
But come, Sir, come with me!" 1819.

(The first of these stanzas was omitted in 1827 and afterwards;
the second was withdrawn in 1820.)]

[Variant 35:

1836.

But first doth Peter deem it fit
To spy about him far and near; 1819.

"A prize," cried Peter, stepping back
To spy ... 1827.]

[Variant 36:

1827.

... Ass's back, ... 1819.]

[Variant 37:

1836.

With ready heel the creature's side; 1819.

With ready heel his shaggy side; 1827.]

[Variant 38: In the editions of 1819 to 1832 only.

"What's this!" cried Peter, brandishing
A new-peel'd sapling white as cream;
The Ass knew well what Peter said,
But, as before, hung down his head
Over the silent stream. 1819.

A new-peeled sapling;--though, I deem,
The Ass knew well what Peter said,
He, as before, ... 1820.

...--though I deem,
This threat was understood full well,
Firm, as before, the Sentinel
Stood by the silent stream. 1827.]

[Variant 39:

1827.

"I'll cure you of these desperate tricks"--
And, with deliberate action slow,
His staff high-raising, in the pride
Of skill, upon the Ass's hide C. and 1819.]

[Variant 40:

1836.

What followed?--yielding to the shock
The Ass, as if ... 1819.]

[Variant 41:

1836.

And then upon ... 1819.]

[Variant 42:

1840.

... as ... 1819.]

[Variant 43:

1819.

The Beast on his tormentor turned
A shining hazel eye. 1827.

His shining ... 1832.

The edition of 1836 returns to the text of 1819.]

[Variant 44:

1836.

Towards the river ... 1819.]

[Variant 45:

1832.

Heav'd his lank sides, ... 1819.]

[Variant 46: 1836. In the two editions of 1819 this stanza formed two
stanzas, thus:

All by the moonlight river side
He gave three miserabl