Note hb — THE BRIDE OF ABYDOS.[124]
Reading edition
{203} Three MS. variants of these lines were rejected in turn before the text was finally adopted—
(1) { Ah! wherefore did he turn to look I know not why he turned to look Since fatal was the gaze he took? So far escaped from death or chain, To search for her and search in vain: Sad proof in peril and in pain How late will Lover's hope remain. (2) Thus far escaped from death or chain Ah! wherefore did he turn to look? For her his eye must seek in vain, Since fatal was the gaze he took. Sad proof, etc.— (3) Ah! wherefore did he turn to look So far escaped from death or chain? Since fatal was the gaze he took For her his eye but sought in vain, Sad proof, etc.—
A fourth variant of lines 1046, 1047 was inserted in a revise dated November 16—
That glance he paused to send again To her for whom he dies in vain.