The text of Irene, inasmuch as it differs widely from the later versions of The Sleeper, is given here in its entirety, the edition of 1831 being followed. The variants of S. L. M. from 1831 are given in brackets at the end. The variants for all other texts are given at the foot of the page.

'Tis now (so sings the soaring

moon)

Midnight in the sweet month of

June,

When winged visions love to lie
Lazily upon beauty's eye,

IRENE

Till thoughts and locks are left, alas!
A ne'er-to-be untangled mass.

An influence dewy, drowsy, dim,

Is dripping from that golden rim; 10 Grey towers are mouldering into rest, upon her brow to dance 5 Wrapping the fog around their breast: In panoply of old romance, Looking like Lethe, see! the lake

Or worse

"Some gentle wind hath thought it right
"To open thy window to the night,

[18 bright pines: cedars (S. L. M.).

20 reels with bliss: nodding hangs (S. L.M.).

21 Above yon cataract of Serangs. (S.L.M.)

25 For this line, S. L. M. substitutes the following:

And hark the sounds so low yet clear,

(Like music of another sphere)

Which steal within the slumberer's ear,

Or so appear or so appear!]

16 After this line, all texts save that of the Lorimer Graham copy insert a line: With casement open to the skies (1831, S. L.M., P.P.A.), Her casement open to the skies (S. M., B.J., 1845).

17 with: and (P.P.A.).

19 window: lattice (P. P.A., S. M.).

36 After this line, S. L. M. inserts the following:

That o'er the floor, and down the wall,
Like ghosts the shadows rise and fall
Then, for thine own all radiant sake.

37 Lady, awake! awake! awake! (S. L.M.).
38-59 Omitted in S. L. M.]

20, 21 Omitted in P.P.A. and S. M.

33 these: our (P.P.A.).

35 Stranger thy glorious length of tress (P.P.A.).

39 For this line, P. P.A. substitutes line 47.

40 chamber: bed, being (P.P.A.).

41 bed room (P.P.A.).

43 unopened: uncloséd (P.P.A.).

44 Omitted in P.P.A.; pale: dim (S. M., B.J., 1845).

47 For this line, P. P.A. substitutes line 39.

65

[72 vampyre-winged: vampire-wing-like (S.L.M.).]

49 vault: tomb (P.P.A.).

50 vault: tomb (P.P.A.).

51 winged: winglike (P.P.A.).

57 tomb: vault (P.P.A.).

59 Thrilling: Nor thrill (P.P.A.).

70