Text: Edgar Allan Poe, “Eulalie” (Text-02), “Carter” manuscript, February 16, 1843


∞∞∞∞∞∞∞


[[This version has the changes applied]]

Eulalie
=======

By Edgar A. Poe.
===============  

 

I dwelt alone

In a world of moan,

And my soul was a stagnant tide,

Till the fair and gentle Eulalie became my blushing bride —

Till the yellow-haired young Eulalie became my smiling bride.

And ah! less bright

The stars of the night

Than the eyes of the radiant girl,

And never a flake

Their lustre can make

Of the vapor and gold and pearl,

Can vie with the sweet young Eulalie's most humble and careless curl —

Can compare with the bright-eyed Eulalie's most vagrant and careless curl.

Now Doubt — now Pain —

Come never again,

For her soul gives me sigh for sigh,

And all day long

Shines bright and strong

Astart [[Astarte]] in the purple sky,

And ever to her dear Eulalie upturns her matron eye —

And ever to her young Eulalie upturns her violet eye.



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

Eulalie
=======

By Edgar A. Poe.
===============  

 

I dwelt alone

In a world of moan,

And my soul was a stagnant tide,

Till the fair and gentle Eulalie became my blushing bride —

Till the yellow-haired young Eulalie became my smiling bride.

And ah! less bright

The stars of the night

Than the eyes of the radiant girl,

And never a flake

Their lustre can make

Of the vapor and gold and pearl,

Can vie with the sweet young Eulalie's most humble and careless curl —

Can compare with the bright-eyed Eulalie's most vagrant and careless curl.

Now Doubt — now Pain —

Come never again,

For her soul gives me sigh for sigh,

And all day long

Shines bright and strong

>>The moon<< <Astart> [[Astarte]] in the purple sky,

And ever to >>it<< <her> dear Eulalie upturns her matron eye —

And ever to >>it<< <her> young Eulalie upturns her violet eye.


∞∞∞∞∞∞∞


Notes:

This manuscript was supposedly sent by Poe to Robert Carter with a letter dated February 16, 1843. (The letter itself bears no date, but the envelope is postdated as February 16, and is docketed by Carter as “E. A. Poe / Feb. 16. 1843.”) Mabbott is suspicious of the “inflated” tone of the letter, though he notes that the manuscript, if a forgery, is a skillful one (Poems, 1:349). It carefully follows the manuscript of version “A,” a curious coincidence for a forgery. Mabbott's concern may be influenced by his belief that the poem was at least partially inspired by three items in the New Mirror of October 14, 1843 (Poems, 1:347), a theory that would be essentially disproved by the existence of such an early manuscript. An examination of the handwriting reveals traits that strongly suggest Poe as the actual writer. The letter was accepted in the revised edition of Poe's collected letters (2008), and the manuscript of the poem, which is an integral part of the letter, would necessary be authentic as well.


∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

[S:1 - MS, 1843] - Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore - Works - Poems - Eulalie (Text-02)