London Lyrics Part 8

and the seventh stanza is altered to:

"My heart grows chill! Can Soul like thine, Weary of this clear world of mine, Have loosed its fetter, To find a world whose promised bliss Is better than the best of this?- And is it better?"

These are the most important changes.

The Russet Pitcher. Last published in 1870: omitted in 1868.

The Enchanted Rose. "The Fairy Rose" in subsequent editions. Last published in 1870: omitted in 1868.

Circ.u.mstance. Written in 1856: last published in 1893, with some alteration. The last line runs, finally: "And-wish them at the devil."

A Wish. Last published in 1878.

My Life is a-. Last published in 1893: omitted in 1881. Practically the same in the final version.

Vanity Fair. Last published in 1878.

Bramble-Rise. Written in 1857: last published in 1893, a good deal altered. It is less "Praedian" than in the original form: the puns in stanzas four and nine disappear.

Old Letters. Last published in 1878. Of all the London Lyrics this is the most obviously reminiscent of Praed: and as such it is rejected by Locker's final judgment. It belongs evidently to the period when "I once tried to write like Praed."

Susannah. Last published (as "Susan") in 1872: omitted in 1868. The first verse, slightly altered, serves as "motto" for the serious poem, "Her quiet resting-place is far away," which is in some of the later editions.

My Firstborn. Last published in 1878, omitted in 1868.

The Widow's Mite. Last published in 1893. In the final form of the poem the pun is (characteristically) dropped.

St George's. Last published in 1878: omitted in 1868.

Seven Dials. Last published in 1862.

Miss Edith. Not again published.

Gretna Green. Subsequently under the t.i.tle "Vae Victis": last published in 1870.

The Four Seasons. Not again published.

Enigma. 1. / 2. } Not again published.

The Printer's Devil. Not again published.

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