[return]

[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

"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!"

(The first of these stanzas was omitted in 1827 and afterwards; the second was withdrawn in 1820.)

[return]

[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

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

"A prize," cried Peter, stepping back
To spy ...