No More Learning

--For weeks the balmy air breathed soft and mild,
And on the gliding vessel Heaven and Ocean smiled. 1798.

At midnight once the storming Army came,
Yet do I see the miserable sight,
The Bayonet, the Soldier, and the Flame
That followed us and faced us in our flight:
When Rape and Murder by the ghastly light
Seized their joint prey, the Mother and the Child!
But I must leave these thoughts. --From night to night,
From day to day, the air breathed soft and mild;
And on the gliding vessel Heaven and Ocean smiled. 1802-5. ]


[Variant 41:

1802.

And oft, robb'd of my perfect mind, I thought
At last my feet a resting-place had found:
Here will I weep in peace, (so fancy wrought,) 1798. ]


[Variant 42:

1842.

Here watch, of every human friend disowned,
All day, my ready tomb the ocean-flood-- 1798.

Here will I live:--of every friend disown'd,
Here will I roam about the ocean flood. -- 1802.

And end my days upon the ocean flood. "-- 1815. ]


[Variant 43:

1842.
By grief enfeebled was I turned adrift,
Helpless as sailor cast on desart rock; 1798.

Helpless as sailor cast on some bare rock; 1836. ]


[Variant 44:

1842.

Nor dared . . . 1798. ]


[Variant 45:

1802.

How dismal . . . 1798. ]


[Variant 46:

1832.

. . .