[Variant 49:

1820.

Joy on ... 1819.]

[Variant 50:

1836.

... an endless shout, The long dry see-saw ... 1819.]

[Variant 51:

1836.

And Peter now uplifts his eyes; Steady the moon doth look and clear, And like themselves the rocks appear, And tranquil are the skies, 1819.

And quiet are the skies. 1820.]

[Variant 52:

1836.

Whereat, in resolute mood, once more He stoops the a.s.s's neck to seize-- Foul purpose, quickly put to flight!

For in the pool a startling sight Meets him, beneath the shadowy trees. 1819.]

[Variant 53:

1819.

... the gallows ... 1832.

The text of 1836 returns to that of 1819.]

[Variant 54:

1836.

Or a gay ring of shining fairies, Such as pursue their brisk vagaries 1819.]

[Variant 55: In the two editions of 1819 only.

Is it a party in a parlour?

Cramm'd just as they on earth were cramm'd-- Some sipping punch, some sipping tea, But, as you by their faces see, All silent and all d.a.m.n'd! [a]]

[Variant 56:

1827.

A throbbing pulse the Gazer hath-- Puzzled he was, and now is daunted; 1819.]

[Variant 57:

1836.

Like one intent upon a book--1819.]

[Variant 58:

1836.

And drops, a senseless weight, ... 1819.]

[Variant 59:

1827.

A happy respite!--but he wakes;-- And feels the glimmering of the moon-- And to stretch forth his hands is trying;-- Sure, when he knows where he is lying, He'll sink into a second swoon. 1819.]

[Variant 60:

1827.

... placid ... 1819.]

[Variant 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.