1836.

With ready heel the creature's side; 1819.

With ready heel his s.h.a.ggy 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 a.s.s 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 a.s.s 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 a.s.s's hide C. and 1819.]

[Variant 40:

1836.

What followed?--yielding to the shock The a.s.s, 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 miserable groans, "'Tis come then to a pretty pa.s.s,"

Said Peter to the groaning a.s.s, "But I will _bang_ your bones!"

And Peter halts to gather breath, And now full clearly was it shown (What he before in part had seen) How gaunt was the poor a.s.s and lean, Yea wasted to a skeleton! 1819.

In the editions of 1820-1832, only the second of these stanzas is retained, with the following change of text in 1827:

And, while he halts, was clearly shown (What he before in part had seen) How gaunt the Creature was, and lean, 1827.

In the final text of 1836 the two stanzas of 1819 are compressed into one (ll. 446-50).]

[Variant 47:

1836.

But, while upon the ground he lay, 1819.

That instant, while outstretched he lay, 1827.]

[Variant 48:

1836.

A loud and piteous bray! 1819.]