† GOTHIC LIBRARY †
Est. July, 7 1998
Christabel
Coleridge's plan for completing
the story
according to James Gillman
The following relation was to have occupied a third and fourth canto, and to
have closed the tale. Over the mountains, the Bard, as directed by Sir Leoline,
hastes with his disciple; but in consequence of one of those inundations
supposed to be common to this country, the spot only where the castle once
stood is discovered-the edifice itself being washed away. He determines to
return. Geraldine, being acquainted with all that is passing, like the weird
sisters in Macbeth, vanishes. Reappearing, however, she awaits the return of
the Bard, exciting in the meantime, by her wily arts, all the anger she could
rouse in the Baron's breast, as well as that jealousy of which he is described to
have been susceptible.
The old Bard and the youth at length arrive, and therefore she can no longer
personate the character of Geraldine, the daughter of Lord Roland de Vaux,
but changes her appearance to that of the accepted, though absent, lover of
Christabel. Now ensues a courtship most distressing to Christabel, who
feels-she knows not why-great disgust for her once favored knight.
This coldness is very painful to the Baron, who has no more conception than
herself of the supernatural transformation. She at last yields to her father's
entreaties, and consents to approach the altar with the hated suitor. The real
lover, returning, enters at this moment, and produces the ring which she had
once given him in sign of her betrothment. Thus defeated, the supernatural
being Geraldine disappears. As predicted, the castle bell tolls, the mother's
voice is heard, and, to the exceeding great joy of the parties, the rightful
marriage takes place, after which follows a reconciliation and explanation
between father and daughter.
(from Gillman's The Life of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1838)
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