t 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.

The meagre Shadow all this while--
What aim is his? ... 1819.]

[Variant 63:

1836.

That Peter on his back should mount
He shows a wish, well as he can,
"I'll go, I'll go, whate'er betide--
He to his home my way will guide,
The cottage of the drowned man." 1819.]

But no--his purpose and his wish
The Suppliant shews, well as he can;
Thought Peter whatsoe'er betide
I'll go, and he my way will guide
To the cottage of the drowned man. 1820.]

[Variant 64:

1836.

This utter'd, Peter mounts forthwith 1819.

This hoping, 1820.

Encouraged by this hope, he mounts 1827.

This hoping, Peter boldly mounts 1832.]

[Variant 65:

1827.

The 1819.]

[Variant 66:

1836.

And takes his way ... 1819.]

[Variant 67:

1840.

Holding ... 1819.]

[Variant 68:

1840 and c.

What seeks the boy?--the silent dead! 1819.

Seeking for whom?--... 1836.]

[Variant 69:

1836.

Whom he hath sought ... 1819.]

[Variant 70:

1820.

... doth rightly spell; 1819.]

[Variant 71:

1836.

... noise ... 1819.]

[Variant 72:

1820.

... to gain his end 1819.]

[Variant 73:

1845.

... footstep ... 1819.]

[Variant 74:

1836.

... along a ... 1819.]

[Variant 75: In the editions of 1819 and 1820 the following stanza
occurs:

The verdant pathway, in and out,
Winds upwards like a straggling chain;
And, when two toilsome miles are past,
Up through the rocks it leads at last
Into a high and open plain.]

[Variant 76:

1827.

The ... 1819.]

[Variant 77:

1836.

How blank!--but whence this rustling sound
Which, all too long, the pair hath chased!
--A dancing leaf is close behind, 1819.

But whence that faintly-rustling sound 1820.

But whence this faintly rustling sound
By which the pair have long been chased? c.]

[Variant 78:

1836.

When Peter spies the withered leaf,
It yields no cure to his distress--1819.]

[Variant 79:

1836.

Ha! why this comfo