Page:The Raven; with literary and historical commentary.djvu/37

XVIII.

And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted—nevermore!

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Variations in 1845.

Line 9. Tried for sought.
Line 27. Darkness for stillness.
Line 31. Then for back.
Line 32. Soon I heard again, &c.
Line 39. Instant for minute.
Line 51. Sublunary for living human.
Line 55. The for that.
Line 60. Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."
Line 61. Wondering for startled.
Lines 64-66. Followed fast and followed faster:—so, when Hope he would adjure,

Stern Despair returned, instead of the sweet Hope he dared adjure,
That sad answer, Nevermore.

Line 80. Swung by angels whose faint foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
Line 84. Let me quaff, &c.
Line 105. Demons for demon's.