PAGE =71=. A LECTURE UPON THE SHADOW.

The text of this poem in the editions is that of _A18_, _N_, _TC_

among the MSS. A slightly different recension is found in most of the

other MSS. The chief difference is that the latter read 'love' for

'loves' at ll. 9, 14, and 19. They also, however, read 'least' for

'high'st' at l. 12. In l. 19 they vacillate between 'once' and 'our'.

It would not be difficult to defend either version. The only variation

from the printed text which I have admitted is that on which all the

MSS. are unanimous, viz. 'first' for 'short' in l. 26; 'short' is an

obvious blunder.

The Poems of John Donne, Volume 2 (of 2) Edited from the Old Editions and Numerous Manuscripts · 第 153 / 290 题