∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
[[v]]
[[n]]
In spring of youth it was my lot
[[v]]
To haunt of the wide earth a spot
The which I could not love the less —
So lovely was the loneliness
5
[[n]]
Of a wild lake, with black rock bound,
[[v]]
And the tall pines that towered around.
But when the Night had thrown her pall
Upon that spot, as upon all,
[[v]]
And the mystic wind went by
10
[[v]]
[[n]]
Murmuring in melody —
[[v]]
[[n]]
Then — ah then I would awake
[[v]]
To the terror of the lone lake.
Yet that terror was not fright,
But a tremulous delight —
15
[[v]]
A feeling not the jewelled mine
[[v]]
Could teach or bribe me to define —
[[v]]
Nor Love — although the Love were thine. [page 33:]
[[v]]
Death was in that poisonous wave,
[[n]]
And in its gulf a fitting grave
20
[[v]]
For him who thence could solace bring
[[v]]
[[n]]
To his lone imagining —
[[v]]
Whose solitary soul could make
[[n]]
An Eden of that dim lake.
(1827)
[The following variants appear at the bottom of page 32:]
Title The Lake (1827); omitted in 1831, the poem being incorporated in Tamerlane (after l. 74).
1 In spring of youth: In youth's spring (1827, 1829, M. M.), For in those days (1831).
2 world: earth (1827).
6 tall: sultan-like (1831).
9 mystic wind went: wind would pass me (1827), black wind mumur’d (1829, 1831), ghastly wind went (M.M.).
10 Murmuring in: In its stilly, (1827), In a dirge of (1829, 1831), In a dirge-like (M.M.).
11 Then — ah, then, I: My infant spirit (1827, 1829, 1831).
12 the lone: that lone (1831, M. M.).
15 And a feeling undefin’d (1827).
16 Could teach or: Should ever (1829), Could ever (1831).
16, 17 Springing from a darken’d mind (1827).
17 were: be (1829); although the love: Ada! tho’ it (1831).
[The following variants appear at the bottom of page 33:]
18 poisonous: poison’d (1827, 1829, M. M.).
18, 19 Omitted in 1831.
20 How could I from that water bring (1831).
21 lone: dark (1827) ; Solace to my imagining (1831).
22 Whose wild’ring thought could even make (1829); My solitary soul — how make (1831).
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
Notes:
None.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
[S:0 - KCP, 1917] - Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore - Works - The Lake: To ---- (ed. K. Campbell, 1917)