Book XIII.
Variant of ll. 43–77:
“Is there not Danger when a lover gains
His lady’s heart, and her consent obtains?
(Suppose their union for a while delay’d,
As when a flinching father is afraid.)
Now, when the youth upon his labours past
Delighted looks, and is in peace at last,
Is there not Danger in those days of peace,
When troubles lessen, and when terrors cease,
Lest, from the love of novelty, the sin,
Of changeful man, some wandering should begin?
Lest a successful spirit, in its pride,
Should not contented with its peace abide?
“Not Troilus more true or fond could be,
Not Orpheus to his lost Eurydice,
Than to his Harriet Henry—all was done
On either part, and either heart was won.
For there had pass’d the lady’s wish to charm
With due success; the lover felt th’ alarm;
Then, more emotion in the man t’ excite,
There pass’d in her the momentary slight;
Then, after many a tender fear, there came
A declaration of the deathless flame.” (O.M.)
instead of ll. 188–9:
“Here none approach to laugh, to sing, to prate;
Here I can mourn, and muse, and meditate.” (O.M.)
after l. 648:
Her quill was one not pluck’d from Venus’ dove,
And her smart language proved her wounded love. (O.M.)
instead of ll. 786–93:
And thus for ever shall it be, when vice
Shall the weak heart from rectitude entice,
Or fear, with some poor passion, shall unite
To make that timid turning from the right,
Unerring Justice shall her pains decree,
And man shall own that thus it ought to be. (O.M.)