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Virginia ("single torn leaf") Verso
This draft of stanza 7 differs from its counterpart in the first "complete" pencil draft in only one major way: it concludes with line nine. Line six adds a dash following the line; line seven appears with the word 'audible' substituted for 'heard'. Otherwise, the stanza is carried forward as Faulkner wrote it on this working draft.
One should not die like this
His voice has dropped and the wind is mouthing his words
While the lilacs nod their heads on slender stalks
Agreeing while he talks
And cares not if he is heard or is not heard
One should not die like this
Half heard, half silent words
That hover like grey birds
About our heads
I move suddenly, the birds
['Have flown' del.] Fly away on [illeg. del.] noiseless silver wings
His voice has dropped and the wind is mouthing his words
While the lilacs nod their heads on slender stalks
Agreeing while he talks
And cares not if he is heard or is not heard
One should not die like this
Half heard, half silent words
That hover like grey birds
About our heads
I move suddenly, the birds
['Have flown' del.] Fly away on [illeg. del.] noiseless silver wings
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