The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 29

[18] In the stage-direction the last four words are omitted Remorse.

[19] Drips] Drops Remorse.

[Between 19 and 31.]

_Isidore._ A jest to laugh at!

It was not that which scar'd me, good my lord.

_Ordonio._ What scar'd you, then?

_Isidore._ You see that little rift?

But first permit me!

[_Lights his torch at ORDONIO'S, and while lighting it._ (A lighted torch in the hand Is no unpleasant object here--one's breath Floats round the flame, and makes as many colours As the thin clouds that travel near the moon.) You see that crevice there?

My torch extinguished by these water drops, And marking that the moonlight came from thence, I stept in to it, meaning to sit there; But scarcely had I measured twenty paces-- My body bending forward, yea, o'erbalanced Almost beyond recoil, on the dim brink Of a hugh chasm I stept. The shadowy moonshine Filling the void so counterfeited substance, That my foot hung aslant adown the edge.

Was it my own fear?

Fear too hath its instincts!

(And yet such dens as these are wildly told of, And there are beings that live, yet not for the eye) An arm of frost above and from behind me Pluck'd up and s.n.a.t.c.hed me backward. Merciful Heaven!

You smile! alas, even smiles look ghastly here!

My lord, I pray you, go yourself and view it.

Remorse.

[33] move] creep Remorse.

[35] if] had Remorse.

[37-9]

_Ordonio._ Why, Isidore, I blush for thy cowardice. It might have startled, I grant you, even a brave man for a moment--

Remorse.

[41] thump] strike Corr. in MS. III, Remorse.

[42] and] then Remorse.

[44] Sunk with a faint splash in that groaning Corr. in MS. III. Sunk]

Sank Remorse.

[49] fellow-men] fellow man Remorse.

[52] laugh] smile Remorse.

[Between 54 and 57:]

O sleep of horrors! Now run down and stared at By forms so hideous that they mock remembrance-- Now seeing nothing and imagining nothing, But only being afraid--stifled with fear!

While every goodly or familiar form Had a strange power of breathing terror round me!

I saw you in a thousand fearful shapes; And I entreat your lordship to believe me,

Remorse.

[56] om. Remorse.

[62] my] mine Remorse.

[64] _Ord. (after a pause)._ I know not why it should be! yet it is-- Remorse.

[65] Abhorrent from our nature, Remorse.

[67-70]

_Ord._ Why that's my case! and yet the soul recoils from it-- 'Tis so with me at least. But you, perhaps, Have sterner feelings?

_Isid._ Something troubles you.

How shall I serve you?

Remorse.

[77] yards] strides Remorse.

[80] Stage-direction om. Remorse.

[82] the] thy Remorse.

[Between 84 and 88]

_Isid. (aside)._ He? He despised? Thou'rt speaking of thyself!

I am on my guard however: no surprise [_Then to ORDONIO._

Remorse.

[86-7] om. Remorse.

[91-2]

_Isidore._ Of himself he speaks. [_Aside._ Alas! poor wretch!

Mad men, &c.

Remorse.

[93] phantasies] phantom thoughts Remorse.

[104] go on] proceed Remorse.

[105] his] this Remorse.

[106] being] substance Remorse.