Last Update: June 6, 2014 Navigation: Main Menu Poe’s Works Poe’s Poems

Text: Edgar Allan Poe, “To the River ——” (Text-05), Herring copy of Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane and Minor Poems (1829), with manuscript changes, 1845 p. 63

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

[[This version has the changes applied]]

TO THE RIVER ———

Fair river! in thy bright, clear flow

Of chrystal, wandering water,

Thou art an emblem of the glow

Of beauty — the unhidden heart —

The playful maziness of art

In old Alberto’s daughter;

But when within thy wave she looks —

Which glistens then, and trembles —

Why, then, the prettiest of brooks

Her worshipper resembles;

For in my heart — as in thy stream —

Her image deeply lies —

The heart which trembles at the beam,

Of her soul-searching eyes.

[[This version gives the text as originally printed, with indications for Poe’s changes]]

Fair river! in thy bright, clear flow

Of >>labyrinth-like<< <chrystal, wandering<< water,

Thou art an emblem of the glow

Of beauty — the unhidden heart —

The playful maziness of art

In old Alberto’s daughter >>—<< <;>

But when within thy wave she looks —

Which glistens then, and trembles —

Why, then, the prettiest of brooks

Her worshipper resembles >>—<< <;>

For in my heart — as in thy stream —

Her image deeply lies —

The heart which trembles at the beam,

>>The scrutiny of her<< eyes.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Notes:

None.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

[S:1 - ATMP-EH, 1845] - Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore - Works - Poems - To the River —— (Text-05)