Text: Edgar Allan Poe, “Song” (Text-05), John Neal copy of Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane and Other Poems, 1829, with a manuscript note, p. 61


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[[This version has the changes applied]]

[page 61:]

2.

TO — —

1

I saw thee on thy bridal day —

When a burning blush came o'er thee

Tho' happiness around thee lay,

As heedless love before thee:

2

And, in thine eye a kindling light

[Whatever it might be]

Was all on Earth my fetter'd sight

Of Loveliness could see.

3

That blush, perhaps, was maiden shame —

As such it well may pass —

Tho' its glow hath rais'd a fiercer flame

In the breast of him, alas!

4

Who saw thee on that bridal day,

When that deep blush would come o'er thee,

Tho' Happiness around thee lay,

The world all love before thee.


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[[This version gives the text as originally printed, with indications for Poe's changes]]

[page 61:]

2.

TO — —

1

I saw thee on thy bridal day —

When a burning blush came o'er thee

Tho' happiness around thee lay,

The world all love before thee:   <As heedless>

2

And, in thine eye a kindling light

[Whatever it might be]

Was all on Earth my fetter'd sight

Of Loveliness could see.

3

That blush, perhaps, was maiden shame —

As such it well may pass —

Tho' its glow hath rais'd a fiercer flame

In the breast of him, alas!

4

Who saw thee on that bridal day,

When that deep blush would come o'er thee,

Tho' Happiness around thee lay,

The world all love before thee.


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Notes:

The notation in Poe's hand on line 4 is taken from the copy of Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane and Minor Poems (1829) he sent to John Neal. The purpose of the note is not clear, and the pages of the book were badly trimmed when it was rebound. The change indicated was not made when Poe revised the poem for The Raven and Other Poems in 1845. The premuption is that the words inserted in the margin were intended to replace the beginning of the line, which is the suggestion that has been taken here.

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[S:2 - ATMP-JN, 1829] - Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore - Works - Poems - Song (Text-05)