Book XVI.

_The Book opens_:

The Brothers dwelt upon their favourite themes Of ghosts, and spectres, demons, devils, dreams; These to all kinds of ghostly subjects led, } Things we believe not, yet we ever dread, } At which our reason halts, by which our fears are led. } “Sometimes,” said George, “the ghost and dream unite, As was the case with Lady Barbara’s spright.” (O.M.)

_after_ l. 305:

“Yet when I look upon that face divine, Say, can I wish the goddess-mother mine? She who, like Venus, should provide me arms Against my foe—not bring me greater harms.” (O.M.)

_instead of_ ll. 443–8:

“Hear, then, and hope not! to the tale I tell Belongs the warning on the gate of hell: ‘This is no place for hope!’ the guilt above } Excludes it here. Oh! now the guilt remove, } And fear the curse of interdicted love.” (O.M.)}

_variant of_ ll. 495–8:

“Some to the dean referred us, who had made An atheist mad, so well could he persuade: Others to Doctor Bowles’s powerful art, Who found an entrance in the hardest heart.” (O.M.)

_variant of_ ll. 915–16:

Such is our tale, and all that now remain Are sad varieties of grief and pain.

_variant of_ ll. 929–37:

The day of love, like an autumnal day, Ev’n in its morning hastened to decay. Who gave her hand, determined not to give, Was doom’d in anguish and regret to live; For he who woo’d so warmly scorn’d her won, Eager he sought her, eagerly to shun. He laugh’d at tears he caused himself to start, And mock’d the sorrows of a breaking heart, While she a sad and sighing slave remain’d, And to the dregs the cup of sorrow drain’d. (O.M.)