Linenotes

This preface appears in all editions. Previous to 1834 the second paragraph read:—To this place the Author conducted a party of young Ladies, during the Summer months of the year 1793, &c.

The Songs of the Pixies, an irregular Ode. The lower orders of the people in Devonshire have a superstition concerning the existence of 'Pixies', a race of beings supposed to be invisibly small, and harmless or friendly to man. At a small village in the county, half-way up a Hill, is a large excavation called the 'Pixies'' Parlour. The roots of the trees growing above it form the ceiling—and on its sides are engraved innumerable cyphers, among which the author descried his own and those of his Brothers, cut by the rude hand of their childhood. At the foot of the Hill flows the River Otter. To this place the Author had the Honour of conducting a party of Young Ladies during the Summer months, on which occasion the following Poem was written. MS. E.

Note. The emendations in ll. 9, 11, 12, 15, 16 are peculiar to the edition of 1834, and are, certainly, Coleridge's own handiwork.

to] all MS. 4o, MS. E, 1796, 1797, 1803, 1828, 1829.

Ere Morn with living gems bedight MS. 4o, MS. E, 1796, 1797, 1803, 1828, 1829.

Hath streak'd] Purples MS. 4o, MS. E, 1796, 1828, 1829: Streaks 1797, 1803. rosy] streaky MS. E, 1796, 1828, 1829: purple 1797, 1803.

After l. 14 the following lines appear in MS. 4o, MS. E, 1796, 1797, 1803, 1828:

Richer than the deepen'd bloom
That glows on Summer's lily-scented (scented 1797, 1803) plume.

shooting] rosy MS. 4o, MS. E, 1796, 1797, 1803, 1828, 1829.

[15-16]

gleam . . . team MS. 4o, MS. E, 1796, 1797, 1803, 1828, 1829.

To the tune of] Sooth'd by the MS. 4o, MS. E, 1796, 1797, 1803, 1828, 1829.

Timing to Dobbin's foot her cheery song. MS. E, MS. 4o erased.

our] the MS. E.

By rapture-beaming Fancy brought MS. E, MS. 4o erased.

Oft wooes MS. E: our faery garlands MS. 4o, MS. E, 1796, 1797, 1803, 1828, 1829.

[53-5]

Or at the silent visionary hour
Along our rude sequester'd walk
We list th' enamour'd Shepherd's talk.

MS. E.

Or at the silent

MS. 4o erased.

wildly-bower'd] wild 1797, 1803.

hid] built MS. 4o, MS. E, 1796, 1797, 1803, 1828, 1829.

of] with MS. E.

The Electric Flash that from the melting eye,

MS. 4o, MS. E, 1796, 1797, 1803, 1828, 1829.

or] and MS. E, 1796, 1797, 1803, 1828, 1829.

[61-5]

Or haply in the flower-embroider'd vale
We ply our faery feet in gamesome prank;
Or pay our wonted court
Circling the Spirits of the Western Gale,
Where tir'd with vernal sport

MS. E.

Or in deft homage pay our silent court

MS. 4o erased.

[68-70]

By lonely Otter's 'peace-persuading' stream
Or where his frothing wave with merry song
'Dash'd o'er the rough rock lightly leaps along'

MS. E.

peace-persuading stream MS. 4o erased.

[69-70]

Or where his waves with loud unquiet song
Dash'd o'er the rocky channel froth along

MS. 4o, 1796 ('froths' in text, 'froth' errata).

froths] froth 1828, 1829.

[75-7]

Mother of wild'ring dreams thy course pursue.
With downcast eyes around thee stand
The sombre Hours, a duteous band.

MS. E.

obedience MS. 4o, 1796: Correction made in Errata.

For lo! around thy MS. E.

softer] gentler MS. E.

meek-eyed] meekest MS. E.

cheeks are] cheek is MS. E.

[104-5]

Yet ere again the impurpled vale
And elfin-haunted grove

MS. 4o.

[104-6]

Yet ere again the purpling vale
And elfin-haunted Grove
Young Zephyr with fresh flowrets strews.

MS. 4o, MS. E.

nectar-breathing] nectar-dropping MS. E.

for] of MS. E.