iii
1I saw a chapel all of gold
That none did dare to enter in,
And many weeping stood without,
Weeping, mourning, worshipping.
5I saw a serpent rise between
The white pillars of the door,
And he forc'd & forc'd & forc'd ;
Down the golden hinges tore,
9And along the pavement sweet,
Set with pearls & rubies bright,
All his shining length he drew,
Till upon the altar white
13Vomiting his poison out
On the bread & on the wine.
So I turn'd into a sty,
And laid me down among the swine.
MS, Book, p. 115. DGR and all later editors entitle this 'The Defiled Sanctuary.' Not in Swinb.
8 Down . . . tore] Till he broke the pearly door MS. Book 1st rdg. del.; Till he the golden hinges tore all except WBY, who reads, Till down the golden hinges tore. 13 Vomiting] He vomited DGR, WMR, EY; Vomited WBY.
iv
1I askèd a thief to steal me a peach:
He turnèd up his eyes.
I ask'd a lithe lady to lie her down:
Holy & meek, she cries.
MS. Book, p. 114. Not in DGR. Swinb. (p. 141) and later edd. entitle this 'The Will and the Way.'
1 asked] asked = ask'd all edd. steal] steel EY (Index to MS. Book, i. 205). 2 He] And he MS. Book 1st rdg. del. turned] turnèd = turn'd all edd.