∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
[[v]]
[[n]]
FOR her this rhyme is penned, whose luminous eyes,
[[v]]
[[n]]
Brightly expressive as the twins of Lœda,
Shall find her own sweet name, that, nestling lies
[[v]]
Upon the page, enwrapped from every reader.
5
[[v]]
Search narrowly the lines! — they hold a treasure
Divine — a talisman — an amulet
That must be worn at heart. Search well the measure —
[[v]]
[[n]]
The words — the syllables! Do not forget
[[v]]
[[n]]
The trivialest point, or you may lose your labor!
10
And yet there is in this no Gordian knot
Which one might not undo without a sabre,
[[v]]
[[n]]
If one could merely comprehend the plot.
[[v]]
Enwritten upon the leaf where now are peering
[[v]]
[[n]]
Eyes scintillating soul, there lie perdus
15
[[v]]
Three eloquent words oft uttered in the hearing
[[v]]
Of poets, by poets — as the name is a poet's, too. [page 116:]
[[v]]
[[n]]
Its letters, although naturally lying
[[v]]
[[n]]
Like the knight Pinto — Mendez Ferdinando —
19
Still form a synonym for Truth. — Cease trying!
[[n]]
You will not read the riddle, though you do the best you can do.
(1846)
[The following variants appear at the bottom of page 115:]
Title To Her Whose Name is Written Below (E. M.), A Valentine. To — — — (U. M.).
1 these lines are: this rhyme is (U.M., 1850).
2 Brightly: Bright and (E.M.); twins: stars (E. M.).
4 this: the (U.M., 1850).
5 this rhyme, which holds: these words which hold (E.M.), the lines! — they hold (U.M., 1850).
8 letters themselves: syllables (U. M., 1850).
9 trivialest: smallest (E.M.).
12 understand: comprehend (E. M., U. M., 1850).
13 Upon the open page on which are peering (E.M.); Enwritten upon the leaf where now are peering (U.M., 1850).
14 Such sweet eyes now, there lies, I say, perdu (E. M.); Eyes scintillating soul, there lie perdus (U.M., 1850).
15 A well-known name: A musical name (E.M.), Three eloquent words (U. M., 1850).
16 as: for (E.M.).
[The following variants appear at the bottom of page 116:]
17 In common sequence set, the letters lying (E.M.).
18-20 Instead of these lines, E.M. has the following:
Compose a sound delighting all to hear —
Ah, this you’d have no trouble in desaying
Were you not something of a dunce, my dear: —
And now I leave these riddles to their seer.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
Notes:
None.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
[S:0 - KCP, 1917] - Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore - Works - A Valentine (ed. K. Campbell, 1917)