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PDFThe water which beside it stood:
The wolf has come to me to-night,
And he has stolen away my food.
For ever left alone am I;
Then wherefore should I fear to die? 60
VII [12] Young as I am, my course is run, [13]
I
shall not see another sun;
I
cannot lift my limbs to know
If
they have any life or no.
My
poor forsaken Child, if I
65
For
once could have thee close to me,
With
happy heart I then would die,
And
my last thought would happy be; [14]
But
thou, dear Babe, art far away,
Nor
shall I see another day. [15]
70
* * * * *
VARIANTS ON THE TEXT
[Variant 1:
1798.
The stars were mingled with my dreams; 1815.
The text of 1836 returns to that of 1798.]
[Variant 2:
1820.
In sleep did I behold the skies, 1798.]
[Variant 3:
1827.
I saw the crackling flashes drive; 1798.
I heard, and saw the flashes drive; 1820.]
[Variant 4:
1815.
... you ... 1798.]
[Variant 5:
1815.
Too soon despair o’er
me prevailed;
Too soon my heartless spirit
failed; 1798.]
[Variant 6:
1815.
... you ... 1798.]
[Variant 7:
1845.
My friends, when you ... 1798.
... when ye ... 1815.]
[Variant 8:
1815.
A most strange something .... 1798.]
[Variant 9:
1815.
... a little child. 1798.]
[Variant 10:
1815.
... you ... 1798.]
[Variant 11:
1815.
You ... 1798.]
[Variant 12: This stanza was omitted in the editions 1815 to 1832, but restored in 1836.—Ed.]
[Variant 13:
1836.
My journey will be shortly run, 1798.]
[Variant 14:
1836.
... I then would die,
And my last thoughts ...
1798.
... I then should die, 1800.]
[Variant 15:
1836.
I feel my body die away,
I shall not see another day.
1798.]
* * * * *
THE LAST OF THE FLOCK
Composed 1798.—Published 1798.
[Produced at the same time as ‘The
Complaint’, and for the same
purpose. The incident occurred in
the village of Holford, close by
Alfoxden.—I. F.]
