[Rarebooks] FS: W. H. Auden AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT POEM SIGNED: "Serenade"

[Charles Agvent]

AUDEN, W. H. AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT POEM SIGNED: "Serenade" Holograph 
Manuscript of "Serenade," first published in the periodicals ATLANTIC in 
November 1947 and PHOENIX QUARTERLY in 1948 and later included in 
Auden's 1951 collection NONES. It consists of three stanzas, each with 
eight lines, on the recto of an unlined 8-1/2" x 11" paper neatly penned 
completely in Auden's hand with a SIGNED INSCRIPTION at the bottom "To 
Bill/from/Wystan./June 26th 1947." According to Mendelson, Auden 
composed this poem in June 1947. There are several differences in 
punctuation between this manuscript and the printed version, but more 
importantly are word changes in four lines. Auden salutes the 
"incumbent" night in the printed version but here salutes the 
"threatening" night at the end of the first stanza. "The child with 
careful charm" is here "The careful child with charm." Auden also uses 
"that" for "which" in line 22 and "from" for "of" in the last line. 
Alas, we do not know who Bill is. Once folded in quarters, there is a 
visible but not disconcerting crease mark where folded as well as some 
minor general wrinkling. Two words in the third line are a little 
smudged but still readable. With an early undated typed transcription. 
Very Good and scarce. (#011286)        $7,000.00

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