373.1863.Conscious am I in my chamber

Manuscripts: Two (one lost in part), variant, about late 1863. A fair copy signed “Emily” was sent to Susan Dickinson. The first leaf, now missing, carried the first ten lines; the surviving leaf begins with line 11.

Variant A   

Nor Myself to Him, by accent Forfeit probity
Weariness of Him, were quainter
Than Monotony
Knew a particle, of Space’s
Vast society –
Neither if He visit other – Do He dwell or nay
Know I – just (But) instinct esteem Him
Immortality

Variant B   

Conscious am I in my Chamber – Of a shapeless friend –
He doth not attest by Posture – Nor confirm – by Word –
Neither Place – need I present Him – Fitter Courtesy
Hospitable intuition Of His Company –

Presence – is His furthest license –
Neither He to MeNor Myself to Him – by Accent – Forfeit Probity

Weariness of Him, were quainter
Than Monotony
Knew a Particle – of Space’s Vast Society –

Neither if He visit Other –
Do He dwell – or Nay – know I- But Instinct esteem Him (Report Him)

Immortality –

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