Book 2 — TO THE AUTHOR OF 'THE ROBBERS'[72:2]
Reading edition
TO THE AUTHOR OF 'THE ROBBERS'[72:2]
Schiller! that hour I would have wish'd to die, If thro' the shuddering midnight I had sent From the dark dungeon of the Tower time-rent That fearful voice, a famish'd Father's cry— Lest in some after moment aught more mean 5 Might stamp me mortal! A triumphant shout Black Horror scream'd, and all her goblin rout Diminish'd shrunk from the more withering scene! Ah! Bard tremendous in sublimity! Could I behold thee in thy loftier mood 10 Wandering at eve with finely-frenzied eye Beneath some vast old tempest-swinging wood! Awhile with mute awe gazing I would brood: Then weep aloud in a wild ecstasy!
? 1794.
FOOTNOTES:
LINENOTES:
Title] Effusion xx. To the Author, &c. [To 'Schiller', Contents] 1796: Sonnet viii. To the Author of 'The Robbers' 1797: Sonnet xv. 1803: Sonnet xii. To the Author of the Robbers 1828, 1829, 1834.
Lines 1-4 are printed in the reverse order (4, 3, 2, 1). Selections.
[
5-6
]
That in no after moment aught, less vast Might stamp me human!
Selections.
That in no after moment aught less vast Might stamp me mortal!
1797, 1803.
[
8
]
From the more with'ring scene diminish'd past. Selections, 1797, 1803.