You can easily get 555 souls every minute or so by doing this over and over, and it's enitrely risk free since you are right next to the bonfire and the dragon does all the killing for you. After this just jump off the bridge to die - you'll respawn at the bonfire, the enemies will be respawned, and your souls are in a safe spot (on the stairs) for you to repeat. This will trigger the dragon's breath which'll kill all the undead on the bridge (555 souls).
Go up the same shortcut to the middle of the bridge from the bonfire, run out, and the immediately run back down the stairs. Rest at bonfire, all the enemies on the bridge will respawn. Get to the center of the bridge, and unlock the shortcut to the Burg bonfire. Easiest spot I know that is fool proof early game is on the bridge with the dragon.
