The following is the order of the stanzas in the edition of 1802. 
The first, fifth, and last had not appeared before.

  Sometimes most earnestly he said;
  “O Ruth!  I have been worse than dead: 
  False thoughts, thoughts bold and vain
  Encompass’d me on every side
  When I, in thoughtlessness and pride,
  Had cross’d the Atlantic Main.

  Whatever in those Climes I found
  Irregular in sight or sound
  Did to my mind impart
  A kindred impulse, seem’d allied
  To my own powers, and justified
  The workings of my heart.

  Nor less to feed unhallow’d thought
  The beauteous forms of nature wrought,
  Fair trees and lovely flowers;
  The breezes their own languor lent;
  The stars had feelings which they sent
  Into those magic bowers.

  Yet, in my worst pursuits, I ween,
  That often there did intervene
  Pure hopes of high intent;
  My passions, amid forms so fair
  And stately, wanted not their share
  Of noble sentiment.

  So was it then, and so is now: 
  For, Ruth! with thee I know not how
  I feel my spirit burn
  Even as the east when day comes forth;
  And to the west, and south, and north,
  The morning doth return.

  It is a purer better mind: 
  O Maiden innocent and kind
  What sights I might have seen! 
  Even now upon my eyes they break!”
—­And he again began to speak
  Of Lands where he had been.

The last stanza is only in the editions of 1802-1805. [a]]

[Variant 9: 

1836.

  And then he said “How sweet it were 1800.]

[Variant 10: 

1845.

  A gardener in the shade,
  Still wandering with an easy mind
  To build ... 1800.

  In sunshine or through shade
  To wander with an easy mind;
  And build ... 1836.]

[Variant 11: 

1836.

  ... sweet ... 1800.]

[Variant 12: 

1832.

  Dear ... 1800.]

[Variant 13: 

1820.

  Sweet Ruth alone at midnight shed 1800.]

[Variant 14: 

1800.

  ... unhallow’d ... 1802 and MS.

The edition of 1805 returns to the reading of 1800.]

[Variant 15: 

1845.

  ... lovely ... 1800.]

[Variant 16: 

1845.

  ... magic ... 1800.

  ... gorgeous ... 1815.]

[Variant 17: 

1800.

  That often ... 1802.

The text of 1805 returns to that of 1800.]

[Variant 18: 

1800.

  For passions, amid forms so fair
  And stately, wanted not their share 1802.

The text of 1805 returns to that of 1800.]

[Variant 19: 

1800.

  Ill did he live ... 1802.