| 1836 | |
| My boy was by my side, so slim And graceful in his rustic dress! And oftentimes I talked to him, | 1798 |
My boy was by my side, so slim
And graceful in his rustic dress!
And oftentimes I talked to him,
This was stanza v. from 1798 to 1820.
| And, as we talked, I questioned him, | 1827 |
| 1827 | |
| "My little boy, which like you more," I said and took him by the arm— "Our home by Kilve's delightful shore, Or here at Liswyn farm?" "And tell me, had you rather be," I said and held him by the arm, "At Kilve's smooth shore by the green sea, Or here at Liswyn farm?" | 1798 |
"My little boy, which like you more,"
I said and took him by the arm—
"Our home by Kilve's delightful shore,
Or here at Liswyn farm?"
"And tell me, had you rather be,"
I said and held him by the arm,
"At Kilve's smooth shore by the green sea,
Or here at Liswyn farm?"
These two stanzas were compressed into one in 1827.