[Variant 30: 

1827.

  ... made ... 1819.]

[Variant 31:  In the two editions of 1819 only.

  Now you’ll suppose that Peter Bell
  Felt small temptation here to tarry,
  And so it was,—­but I must add,
  His heart was not a little glad
  When he was out of the old quarry.]

[Variant 32: 

1827.

  Across that ... 1819.]

[Variant 33: 

1836.

  And now he is among the trees; 1819.]

[Variant 34: 

  “No doubt I’m founder’d in these woods—­
  For once,” quoth he, “I will be wise,
  With better speed I’ll back again—­
  And, lest the journey should prove vain,
  Will take yon Ass, my lawful prize!”

  Off Peter hied,—­“A comely beast! 
  Though not so plump as he might be;
  My honest friend, with such a platter,
  You should have been a little fatter,
  But come, Sir, come with me!” 1819.

(The first of these stanzas was omitted in 1827 and afterwards; the second was withdrawn in 1820.)]

[Variant 35: 

1836.

  But first doth Peter deem it fit
  To spy about him far and near; 1819.

  “A prize,” cried Peter, stepping back
  To spy ... 1827.]

[Variant 36: 

1827.

  ...  Ass’s back, ... 1819.]

[Variant 37: 

1836.

  With ready heel the creature’s side; 1819.

  With ready heel his shaggy side; 1827.]

[Variant 38:  In the editions of 1819 to 1832 only.

  “What’s this!” cried Peter, brandishing
  A new-peel’d sapling white as cream;
  The Ass knew well what Peter said,
  But, as before, hung down his head
  Over the silent stream. 1819.

  A new-peeled sapling;—­though, I deem,
  The Ass knew well what Peter said,
  He, as before, ... 1820.

    ...—­though I deem,
  This threat was understood full well,
  Firm, as before, the Sentinel
  Stood by the silent stream. 1827.]

[Variant 39: 

1827.

  “I’ll cure you of these desperate tricks”—­
  And, with deliberate action slow,
  His staff high-raising, in the pride
  Of skill, upon the Ass’s hide C. and 1819.]

[Variant 40: 

1836.

What followed?—­yielding to the shock
The Ass, as if ... 1819.]

[Variant 41: 

1836.

  And then upon ... 1819.]

[Variant 42: 

1840.

  ... as ... 1819.]

[Variant 43: 

1819.

  The Beast on his tormentor turned
  A shining hazel eye. 1827.

  His shining ... 1832.

The edition of 1836 returns to the text of 1819.]

[Variant 44: 

1836.

  Towards the river ... 1819.]