No More Learning

my little pride!
In two days more I must have died.
Then do not weep and grieve for me;
I feel I must have died with thee.
O wind, that o'er my head art flying 45
The way my friends their course did bend,
I should not feel the pain of dying,
Could I with thee a message send;
Too soon, my friends, ye [10] went away;
For I had many things to say. 50

VI I'll follow you across the snow;
Ye [11] travel heavily and slow;
In spite of all my weary pain
I'll look upon your tents again.
--My fire is dead, and snowy white 55
The water which beside it stood:
The wolf has come to me to-night,
And he has stolen away my food.
For ever left alone am I;
Then wherefore should I fear to die? 60

VII [12] Young as I am, my course is run, [13]
I shall not see another sun;
I cannot lift my limbs to know
If they have any life or no.
My poor forsaken Child, if I 65
For once could have thee close to me,
With happy heart I then would die,
And my last thought would happy be; [14]
But thou, dear Babe, art far away,
Nor shall I see another day. [15] 70


* * * * *

VARIANTS ON THE TEXT


[Variant 1:

1798.

The stars were mingled with my dreams; 1815.

The text of 1836 returns to that of 1798. ]


[Variant 2:

1820.

In sleep did I behold the skies, 1798. ]


[Variant 3:

1827.
I saw the crackling flashes drive; 1798.

I heard, and saw the flashes drive; 1820. ]


[Variant 4:

1815.

. . . you . . . 1798. ]


[Variant 5:

1815.

Too soon despair o'er me prevailed;
Too soon my heartless spirit failed; 1798. ]


[Variant 6:

1815.

. . .