[112-22]
So up she rose and forth they pass'd
 With hurrying steps yet nothing fast.
 Her lucky stars the lady blest,
 And Christabel she sweetly said—
 All our household are at rest,
 Each one sleeping in his bed;
 Sir Leoline is weak in health,
 And may not awakened be,
 So to my room we'll creep in stealth,
 And you to-night must sleep with me.

MS. W., S. T. C. (a), S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[So, too, First Edition, with the sole variant, 'And may not well awakened be'.]

[114-17]
Her smiling stars the lady blest,
 And thus bespake sweet Christabel:
 All our household is at rest,
 The hall as silent as a cell.

S. T. C. (b).

[In H. 1816 ll. 112-22 of the text are inserted in Coleridge's handwriting. Line 113 reads: 'yet were not fast'. Line 122 reads: 'share your bed with me'. In 1828, ll. 117-22 were added to the text, and 'Her gracious stars' (l. 114) was substituted for 'Her lucky stars'.]

[137]

And Christabel she sweetly cried MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[139]

Praise we] O praise MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[145]

Outside] Beside MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[146]

Lay fast] Was stretch'd H. 1816. [Not in S. T. C.'s handwriting.]

[160]

om. S. T. C. (a).

[161]

And nothing else she saw thereby MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[163]

niche] nitch all MSS. and First Edition.

[166-9]
Sweet Christabel her feet she bares,
 And they are creeping up the stairs,
 Now in glimmer, and now in gloom,

MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H., First Edition.

[167]

Added in 1828.

[171]

With stifled breath, as still as death H. 1816. [Not in S. T. C.'s handwriting.]

[173-4]
And now they with their feet press down
 The rushes of her chamber floor.

MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H.

And now with eager feet press down
 The rushes of her chamber floor.

First Edition, H. 1816. [Not in S. T. C.'s handwriting.]

[191]

cordial] spicy MS. W., S. T. C. (a), S. T. C. (c), S. H.

Between 193-4

Nay, drink it up, I pray you do,
 Believe me it will comfort you.

MS. W., S. T. C. (a), S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[The omission was made in the First Edition.]

[205-10, 212]

om. MS. W.

[219]

And faintly said I'm better now MS. W., S. T. C. (a): I am better now S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[225]

far] fair MS. W.

Between 252-3 Are lean and old and foul of hue. MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[254]

And she is to sleep with Christabel. MS. W.: And she is to sleep by Christabel. S. T. C. (c), S. H., First Edition: And must she sleep by Christabel. H. 1816 [not in S. T. C.'s handwriting]: And she is alone with Christabel. H. 1816 erased [not in S. T. C.'s handwriting]: And must she sleep with Christabel. H. 1816 erased [not in S. T. C.'s handwriting].

[255-61]

om. MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H., First Edition: included in H. 1816. [Not in S. T. C.'s handwriting.] First published in 1828.

Between 254 and 263

She took two paces and a stride,
 And lay down by the maiden's side,

MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H., First Edition.

She gaz'd upon the maid, she sigh'd
 She took two paces and a stride,
 Then
 And lay down by the Maiden's side.

H. 1816 erased.

[265]

low] sad MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[267]

this] my MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[270]

The mark of my shame, the seal of my sorrow. MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[277]

And didst bring her home with thee, with love and with charity. MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[278]

To shield her, and shelter her, and shelter far from the damp air. MS. W.

The Conclusion to Part I] The Conclusion of Book the First MS. W.: The Conclusion to Book the First S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[294]

Here in MS. W. the handwriting changes. 'Dreaming' was written by S. T. C., 'yet' by Mary Hutchinson.

[295]

is] is H. 1816.

[297]

who] that MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H., H. 1816.

[306]

Tairn or Tarn (derived by Lye from the Icelandic Tiorn, stagnum, palus) is rendered in our dictionaries as synonymous with Mere or Lake; but it is properly a large Pool or Reservoir in the Mountains, commonly the Feeder of some Mere in the valleys. Tarn Watling and Blellum Tarn, though on lower ground than other Tarns, are yet not exceptions, for both are on elevations, and Blellum Tarn feeds the Wynander Mere. Note to S. T. C. (c).

[324]

A query is attached to this line H. 1816.

Part II] Book the Second MS. W.: Christabel Book the Second S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[344]

Wyndermere] Wyn'dermere MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H., First Edition.

[353]

sinful] simple MS. W.

[354]

A query is attached to this line H. 1816.

[356]

the] their MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[359]

Borodale] Borrowdale MS. W., S. H., First Edition, 1828, 1829: Borrodale S. T. C. (c).

[360]

The air is still through many a cloud MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[363]

the] her MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[364]

silken] simple MS. W.

[414]

thus] so MS. Letter to Poole, Feb. 1813.

[418]

They] And MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[419]

But] And MS. W.

[424-5]
But neither frost nor heat nor thunder
 Can wholly, &c.,

MS. Letter to Poole, Feb. 1813.

[441]

tourney] Tournay MS. W., S. T. C. (c), First Edition.

[453]

The vision foul of fear and pain MS. W., S. T. C. (a), S. T. C. (c), S. H.: The vision of fear, the touch of pain S. T. C. (b).

[463]

The pang, the sight was passed away S. T. C. (a): The pang, the sight, had passed away MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[490]

om. MS. W.

[503]

beautiful] beauteous MS. W.

[507]

take] fetch MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[516]

Many a summer's suns have shone MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[559]

seems] seem'd MS. W., S. T. C. (c).

[560]

vowed] swore MS. W.

[563]

loiter] wander MS. W.

[582]

Jesu, Maria] Jesu Maria MS. W.

[591]

Shuddered aloud with hissing sound MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H.

[596]

on] o'er MS. W.

[613]

And] But MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H., First Edition.

[615]

her Father's Feet MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H., First Edition, 1828.

[620]

the] that MS. W.

[639]

but] not MS. W.

[645]

wronged] insulted MS. W., S. T. C. (c), S. H., First Edition, 1828, 1829.

The Conclusion to Part II] Not in any of the MSS. or in S. H. For the first manuscript version see Letter to Southey, May 6, 1801. (Letters of S. T. C., 1895, i. 355.)

[659]

'finds' and 'seeks' are italicized in the letters.

[660-1]
Doth make a vision to the sight
 Which fills a father's eyes with light.

Letter, 1801.

[664]

In H. 1816 there is a direction (not in S. T. C.'s handwriting) to print line 664 as two lines.

[665]

In words of wrong and bitterness. Letter, 1801.

LINES TO W. L.[236:1]

WHILE HE SANG A SONG TO PURCELL'S MUSIC

While my young cheek retains its healthful hues,
 And I have many friends who hold me dear,
 L——[236:2]! methinks, I would not often hear
 Such melodies as thine, lest I should lose
 All memory of the wrongs and sore distress 5
 For which my miserable brethren weep!
 But should uncomforted misfortunes steep
 My daily bread in tears and bitterness;
 And if at Death's dread moment I should lie
 With no belovéd face at my bed-side, 10
 To fix the last glance of my closing eye,
 Methinks such strains, breathed by my angel-guide,
 Would make me pass the cup of anguish by,
 Mix with the blest, nor know that I had died!

1797.

FOOTNOTES:

[236:1] First published in the Annual Anthology for 1800: included in Sibylline Leaves, 1817, 1828, 1829, and 1834. A MS. is extant dated Sept. 14, 1797.

LINENOTES:

Title] To Mr. William Linley MS. 1797: Sonnet XII, To W. L.——[236:2]! Esq., while he sung &c. An. Anth.: To W. L. Esq. &c. S. L. 1828, 1829: Lines to W. Linley, Esq. 1893.

[3]

L——[236:2]!] Linley! MS. 1893.

[10]

at] by An. Anth.

[12]

Methinks] O God! An. Anth.

FIRE, FAMINE, AND SLAUGHTER[237:1]

A WAR ECLOGUE

The Scene a desolated Tract in La Vendée. Famine is discovered lying on the ground; to her enter Fire and Slaughter.

Fam. Sisters! sisters! who sent you here?
Slau. [to Fire]. I will whisper it in her ear.
Fire. No! no! no!
 Spirits hear what spirits tell:
 'Twill make a holiday in Hell. 5
 No! no! no!
 Myself, I named him once below,
 And all the souls, that damnéd be.
 Leaped up at once in anarchy,
 Clapped their hands and danced for glee. 10
 They no longer heeded me;
 But laughed to hear Hell's burning rafters
 Unwillingly re-echo laughters!
 No! no! no!
 Spirits hear what spirits tell: 15
 'Twill make a holiday in Hell!
Fam. Whisper it, sister! so and so!
 In a dark hint, soft and slow.
Slau. Letters four do form his name—
 And who sent you?
Both. The same! the same! 20
Slau. He came by stealth, and unlocked my den,
 And I have drunk the blood since then
 Of thrice three hundred thousand men.
Both. Who bade you do 't?
Slau. The same! the same!
 Letters four do form his name. 25
 He let me loose, and cried Halloo!
 To him alone the praise is due.
Fam. Thanks, sister, thanks! the men have bled,
 Their wives and their children faint for bread.
 I stood in a swampy field of battle; 30
 With bones and skulls I made a rattle,
 To frighten the wolf and carrion-crow
 And the homeless dog—but they would not go.
 So off I flew: for how could I bear
 To see them gorge their dainty fare? 35
 I heard a groan and a peevish squall,
 And through the chink of a cottage-wall—
 Can you guess what I saw there?
Both. Whisper it, sister! in our ear.
Fam. A baby beat its dying mother: 40
 I had starved the one and was starving the other!
Both. Who bade you do 't?
Fam. The same! the same!
 Letters four do form his name.
 He let me loose, and cried, Halloo!
 To him alone the praise is due. 45
Fire. Sisters! I from Ireland came!
 Hedge and corn-fields all on flame,
 I triumph'd o'er the setting sun!
 And all the while the work was done,
 On as I strode with my huge strides, 50
 I flung back my head and I held my sides,
 It was so rare a piece of fun
 To see the sweltered cattle run
 With uncouth gallop through the night,
 Scared by the red and noisy light! 55
 By the light of his own blazing cot
 Was many a naked Rebel shot:
 The house-stream met the flame and hissed,
 While crash! fell in the roof, I wist,
 On some of those old bed-rid nurses, 60
 That deal in discontent and curses.
Both. Who bade you do't?
Fire. The same! the same!
 Letters four do form his name.
 He let me loose, and cried Halloo!
 To him alone the praise is due. 65
All. He let us loose, and cried Halloo!
 How shall we yield him honour due?
Fam. Wisdom comes with lack of food.
 I'll gnaw, I'll gnaw the multitude,
 Till the cup of rage o'erbrim: 70
 They shall seize him and his brood—
Slau. They shall tear him limb from limb!
Fire. O thankless beldames and untrue!
 And is this all that you can do
 For him, who did so much for you? 75
 Ninety months he, by my troth!
 Hath richly catered for you both;
 And in an hour would you repay
 An eight years' work?—Away! away!
 I alone am faithful! I 80
 Cling to him everlastingly.

1798.

FOOTNOTES:

[237:1] First published in the Morning Post, January 8, 1798: included in Annual Anthology, 1800, and (with an Apologetic Preface, vide Appendices) in Sibylline Leaves, 1828, 1829, and 1834. The poem was probably written in 1796. See Watchman, passim.

LINENOTES:

Title] Scene: A depopulated Tract in La Vendée. Famine is discovered stretched on the ground; to her enter Slaughter and Fire M. P., Jan. 8, 1798.

[2]

Slaughter. I will name him in your ear. M. P.

[5]

a] an all editions to 1834.

[11]

me] me M. P.

[16]

a] an all editions to 1834.

[17-18]
Famine. Then sound it not, yet let me know;
 Darkly hint it—soft and low!

M. P.

In a dark hint, soft and low.

An. Anth.

[19]

Four letters form his name. M. P.

[20]

Both] Famine M. P.

[22-3]
And I have spill'd the blood since then
 Of thrice ten hundred thousand men.

M. P.

[22]

drunk] drank An. Anth., S. L. 1828, 1829.

[24]

Both] Fire and Famine M. P.

[25]

Four letters form his name. M. P.

[29]

Their wives and children M. P.

[32]

and the carrion crow M. P., An. Anth.

[39]

Both] Slaughter and Fire M. P.

[42]

Both] Slaughter and Fire M. P.

[43]

Four letters form his name. M. P.

[47]

Hedge] Huts M. P.

[48]

om. An. Anth.

[49]

Halloo! Halloo! the work was done An. Anth.

[50]

As on I strode with monstrous strides M. P.: And on as I strode with my great strides An. Anth.

[51]

and held M. P., An. Anth.

[54]

through] all M. P.