Lord, Thou hast tried and broken me,
And yet Thy Mercy shall prevail.
Saviour, through Thee I am forgiven —
Do Thou receive my soul, blood-shriven,
O Christ, Who art the Gate of Heaven!
THE MARTYR
See, the sun hath risen!
Lead her from the prison;
She is young and tender, lead her tenderly:
May no fear subdue her,
Lest the Saints be fewer,
Lest her place in Heaven be lost eternally.
Forth she came, not trembling,
No, nor yet dissembling
An o’erwhelming terror weighing her down — down;
Little, little heeding
Earth, but inly pleading
For the strength to triumph and to win a crown.
All her might was rallied
To her heart; not pallid
Was her cheek, but glowing with a glorious red,
Glorious red and saintly,
Never paling faintly,
But still flushing, kindling still, without thought of dread.
On she went, on faster,
Trusting in her Master,
Feeling that His Eye watched o’er her lovingly;
He would prove and try her,
But would not deny her,
When her soul had pass’d, for His sake, patiently.
“Christ,” she said, “receive me,
Let no terrors grieve me,
Take my soul and guard it with Thy heavenly cares:
Take my soul and guard it,
Take it and reward it
With the Love Thou bearest for the love it bears.”
Quickened with a fire
Of sublime desire,
She looked up to Heaven, and she cried aloud,
“Death, I do entreat thee,
Come! I go to meet thee;
Wrap me in the whiteness of a virgin shroud.”
On she went, hope-laden;
Happy, happy maiden!
Never more to tremble, and to weep no more:
All her sins forgiven,
Straight the path to Heaven
Through the glowing fire lay her feet before.
On she went, on quickly,
And her breath came thickly,
With the longing to see God coming pantingly:
Now the fire is kindled,
And her flesh has dwindled
Unto dust; — her soul is mounting up on high:
Higher, higher mounting,
The swift moments counting,
Fear is left beneath her, and the chastening rod:
Tears no more shall blind her,
Trouble lies behind her,
Satisfied with hopeful rest, and replete with God.
THE END OF TIME
Thou who art dreary
With a cureless woe,
Thou who art weary
Of all things below,
Thou who art weeping
By the loved sick-bed,
Thou who art keeping
Watches o’er the dead,
Hope, hope! old Time flies fast upon his way,
And soon will cease the night, and soon will dawn the day.
The rose blooms brightly,
But it fades ere night;
And youth flies lightly,
Yet how sure its flight!
And still the river
Merges in the sea,
And death reigns ever
Whilst old Time shall be;
Yet hope! old Time flies fast upon his way,
And soon will cease the night, and soon will dawn the day.
All we most cherish
In this world below,
What tho’ it perish?
It has aye been so.
So thro’ all ages
It has ever been
To fools and sages,
Noble men and mean:
Yet hope, still hope! for Time flies on his way,
And soon will end the night, and soon will dawn the day.
All of each nation
Shall that morning see
With exultation
Or with misery:
From watery slumbers,
From the opening sod,
Shall rise up numbers
To be judged by God.
Then hope and fear, for Time speeds on his way,
And soon must end the night, and soon must dawn the day.
RESURRECTION EVE
He resteth: weep not!
The living sleep not
With so much calm:
He hears no chiding
And no deriding,
Hath joy for sorrow,
For night hath morrow,
For wounds hath balm,
For life’s strange riot
Hath death and quiet.
Who would recall him
Of those that love him?
No fears appal him,
No ills befal him;
There’s nought above him
Save turf and flowers
And pleasant grass.
Pass the swift hours,
How swiftly pass!
The hours of slumber
He doth not number;
Grey hours of morning
Ere the day’s dawning:
Brightened by gleams
Of the sun-beams,
By the foreseeing
Of Resurrection,
Of glorious being,
Of full perfection,
Of sins forgiven
Before the face
Of men and spirits;
Of God in Heaven,
The Resting Place
That he inherits.
ZARA
See Maturin’s “Women.”
Now the pain beginneth and the word is spoken; —
Hark unto the tolling of the churchyard chime! —
Once my heart was gladsome, now my heart is broken, —
Once my love was noble, now it is a crime.
But the fear is over; yea, what now shall pain me?
Arm thee in thy sorrow, O most Desolate!
Weariness and weakness, these shall now sustain me, —
Pride and bitter grieving, burning love and hate.
Yea, the fear is over, the strong fear and trembling;
I can doubt no longer, he is gone indeed.
Rend thy hair, lost woman, weep without dissembling;
The heart torn forth from it, shall the breast not bleed?
Happy she who looketh on his beauty’s glory!
Happy she who listeneth to his gentle word!
Yet, O happy maiden, sorrow lies before thee;
Greeting hath been given, parting must be heard.
He shall leave thee also, he who now hath left me,
With a weary spirit and an aching heart;
Thou shalt be bereaved by him who hath bereft me;
Thou hast sucked the honey, — feel the stinging’s smart.
Let the cold gaze on him, let the heartless hear him,
For he shall not hurt them, they are safe in sooth:
But let loving women shun that man and fear him,
Full of cruel kindness and devoid of ruth.
When ye call upon him, hope for no replying;
When ye gaze upon him, think not he will look;
Hope not for his pity when your heart is sighing;
Such another, waiting, weeping, he forsook.
Hath the Heaven no thunder wherewith to denounce him?
Hath the Heaven no lightning wherewith to chastise?
O my heart and spirit, O my soul, renounce him
Who hath called for vengeance from the distant skies.
Vengeance which pursues thee, vengeance which shall find thee,
Crushing thy false spirit, scathing thy fair limb: —
O ye thunders deafen, O ye lightnings blind me,
Winds and storms from heaven, strike me but spare him.
I forgive thee, dearest, cruel, I forgive thee; —
May thy cup of sorrow be poured out for me;
Though the dregs be bitter yet they shall not grieve me,
Knowing that I drink them, O my love, for thee.
VERSI
Figli, la madre disse:
Guardati dall’ Amore;
È crudo, è traditore, —
Che vuoi saper di più?
Non fargli mai sperare
D’entrare nel tuo petto;
Chè chi gli diè ricetto
Sempre tradito fu.
Colla sua benda al ciglio
È un bel fanciullo, è vero:
Ma sempre è menzognero;
Ma sempre tradirà.
Semplice tu se fidi
Nel riso suo fallace;
Tu perderai la pace
Nè mai ritornerà.
Ma vedo: già sei stanca
Del mio parlar prudente;
Già volgi nella mente
Il quando, il come, e il chi.
Odimi: i detti miei
Già sai se son sincere;
E se son falsi o very
Saprai per prova un dì.
L’INCOGNITA
Nobil rosa ancor non crebbe
Senza spine in sullo stelo :
Se vi fosse, allor sarebbe
Atta immagine di te.
È la luna in mezzo al cielo
Bella è ver ma passeggiera:
Passa ancor la Primavera:
Ah! l’immagin tua dov’ è?
PURPUREA ROSA
Purpurea rosa
Dolce, odorosa,
È molto bella,
Ma pur non è,
O mia Nigella,
Rival di te.
Donna nel velo,
Fior sullo stelo,
Ciascun l’amore
Reclama a se:
Ma pass ail fiore,
Tu resti a me.
SOUL RUDDERLESS, UNBRACED
Soul rudderless, unbraced,
The Body’s friend and guest,
Whither away today?
Unsuppled, pale, discased,
Dumb to thy wonted jest.
ANIMUCCIA, VAGANTUCCIA, MORBIDUCCIA
Animuccia, vagantuccia, morbiduccia,
Oste del corpo e suora,
Ove or farai dimora?
Palliduccia, irrigidita, svestituccia,
Non più scherzante or ora.
UNPUBLISHED POEMS
CONTENTS
HEAVEN
HYMN
CORYDON’S LAMENT AND RESOLUTION
ROSALIND
PITIA A DAMONE
THE FAITHLESS SHEPHERDESS
ARIADNE TO THESEUS
ON ALBINA
A HYMN FOR CHRISTMAS DAY
LOVE AND DEATH
DESPAIR
FORGET ME NOT
EASTER MORNING
A TIRSI
THE LAST WORDS OF ST. TELEMACHUS
LORD THOMAS AND FAIR MARGARET
LINES TO MY GRANDFATHER
CHARADE
HOPE IN GRIEF
LISETTA ALL’ AMANTE
SONG
PRAISE OF LOVE
I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT
WISHES
ELEANOR
ISIDORA
THE NOVICE
IMMALEE
LADY ISABELLA
NIGHT AND DEATH
YOUNG MEN AYE WERE FICKLE FOUND SINCE SUMMER TREES WERE LEAFY
THE LOTUS-EATERS
SONNET: FROM THE PSALMS
SONG: THE STREAM MOANETH AS IT FLOWETH
A COUNSEL
THE WORLD’S HARMONIES
LINES: GIVEN WITH A PENWIPER
THE LAST ANSWER
ONE OF THE DEAD
THE WHOLE HEAD IS SICK, AND THE WHOLE HEART FAINT
I DO SET MY BOW IN THE CLOUD
O DEATH WHERE IS THY STING?
UNDINE
LADY MONTREVOR
FLORAL TEACHING
DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY
DEATH
A HOPELESS CASE
ELLEN MIDDLETON
ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH
GROWN COLD.: SONNET
ZARA
RUIN
I SIT AMONG GREEN SHADY VALLEYS OFT
LISTEN, AND I WILL TELL YOU OF A FACE
WOULDST THOU GIVE ME A HEAVY JEWELED CROWN
I SAID WITHIN MYSELF: I AM A FOOL
METHINKS THE ILLS OF LIFE I FAIN WOULD SHUN
STRANGE VOICES SING AMONG THE PLANETS WHICH
SLEEP, SLEEP, HAPPY CHILD
WHAT SAPPHO WOULD HAVE SAID HAD HER LEAP CURED INSTEAD OF KILLING HER
ON KEATS
HAVE PATIENCE
TO LALLA, READING MY VERSES TOPSY-TURVY
SONNET: SOME SAY THAT LOVE AND JOY ARE ONE: AND SO
THE LAST COMPLAINT
HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN?
A CHRISTMAS CAROL, (ON THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT.)
FOR ADVENT
TWO PURSUITS
LOOKING FORWARD
LIFE HIDDEN
QUEEN ROSE
HOW ONE CHOSE
SEEKING REST
A YEAR AFTERWARDS
TWO THOUGHTS OF DEATH
THREE MOMENTS
ONCE
THREE NUNS
SONG: WE BURIED HER AMONG THE FLOWERS
THE WATCHERS
ANNIE
A DIRGE
SONG: IT IS NOT FOR HER EVEN BROW
A DREAM
A FAIR WORLD THO’ A FALLEN
ADVENT: “COME,” THOU DOST SAY TO ANGELS
ALL SAINTS
EYE HATH NOT SEEN
ST. ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY
MOONSHINE
THE SUMMER IS ENDED
I LOOK FOR THE LORD
SONG: I HAVE LOVED YOU FOR LONG LONG YEARS ELLEN
A DISCOVERY
FROM THE ANTIQUE
THE HEART KNOWETH ITS OWN BITTERNESS
TO WHAT PURPOSE IS THIS WASTE?
NEXT OF KIN
LET THEM REJOICE IN THEIR BEDS
PORTRAITS
WHITSUN EVE
WHAT?
A PAUSE
HOLY INNOCENTS
THERE REMAINETH THEREFORE A REST FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD
ANNIE: IT’S NOT FOR EARTHLY BREAD
SEASONS
THOU SLEEPEST WHERE THE LILIES FADE
I WISH I WERE A LITTLE BIRD
TWO PARTED
ALL NIGHT I DREAM YOU LOVE ME WELL
FOR ROSALINE’S ALBUM
CARE FLIETH
EPITAPH
THE P. R. B
SEASONS: CROCUSES AND SNOWDROPS WITHER
WHO HAVE A FORM OF GODLINESS
BALLAD
A STUDY. (A SOUL.)
THERE REMAINETH THEREFORE A REST
YE HAVE FORGOTTEN THE EXHORTATION
GUESSES
FROM THE ANTIQUE
THREE STAGES
LONG LOOKED FOR
LISTENING
ZARA
THE LAST LOOK
I HAVE A MESSAGE UNTO THEE
COBWEBS
UNFORGOTTEN
AN AFTERTHOUGHT
TO THE END
ZION SAID
MAY
RIVER THAMES (?)
A CHILLY NIGHT
LET PATIENCE HAVE HER PERFECT WORK
A MARTYR
IN THE LANE
ACME
A BED OF FORGET-ME-NOTS
THE CHIEFEST AMONG TEN THOUSAND
LOOK ON THIS PICTURE AND ON THIS
NOW THEY DESIRE
A CHRISTMAS CAROL, FOR MY GODCHILDREN
NOT YOURS BUT YOU
AN ANSWER
SIR WINTER
IN AN ARTIST’S STUDIO
INTROSPECTIVE
THE HEART KNOWETH ITS OWN BITTERNESS
REFLECTION
A COAST-NIGHTMARE
FOR ONE SAKE
MY OL
D FRIENDS
YET A LITTLE WHILE
ONLY BELIEVE
RIVALS
A YAWN
FOR H. P
THEN THEY THAT FEARED THE LORD SPAKE OFTEN ONE TO ANOTHER
WHAT GOOD SHALL MY LIFE DO ME?
THE MASSACRE OF PERUGIA
I HAVE DONE WITH HOPE
PROMISES LIKE PIECRUST
BY THE WATERS OF BABYLON
BETTER SO
OUR WIDOWED QUEEN
IN PROGRESS
OUT OF THE DEEP
FOR A MERCY RECEIVED
SUMMER
A DUMB FRIEND
MARGERY
IN PATIENCE
SUNSHINE
MEETING
NONE WITH HIM
UNDER WILLOWS
A SKETCH
IF I HAD WORDS
WHAT TO DO?
YOUNG DEATH
IN A CERTAIN PLACE
CANNOT SWEETEN
OF MY LIFE
YES, I TOO COULD FACE DEATH AND NEVER SHRINK
WOULD THAT I WERE A TURNIP WHITE
I FANCY THE GOOD FAIRIES DRESSED IN WHITE
SOME LADIES DRESS IN MUSLIN FULL AND WHITE
AUTUMN
IL ROSSEGGIAR DELL’ ORIENTE CANZONIERE
AMOR DORMENTE?
AMOR SI SVEGLIA?
SI RIMANDA LA TOCCA-CALDAJA
BLUMINE” RISPONDE
LASSÙ FIA CARO IL RIVEDERCI
NON SON IO LA ROSA MA VI STETTI APPRESSO
LASSUSO IL CARO FIORE
SAPESSI PURE!
IDDIO C’ILLUMINI!
AMICIZIA
LUSCIOUS AND SORROWFUL
OH FORZA IRRESISTIBILE
FINESTRA MIA ORIENTALE
EPPURE ALLORA VENIVI
PER PREFERENZA
OGGI
SE FOSSI ANDATA A HASTINGS
RIPETIZIONE
AMICO E PIÙ CHE AMICO MIO
NOSTRE VOLUNTÀ QUIETI VIRTÙ DI CARITI
SE COSÌ FOSSE
BY WAY OF REMEMBRANCE
REMEMBER, IF I CLAIM TOO MUCH OF YOU
WILL YOU BE THERE? MY YEARNING HEART HAS CRIED
IN RESURRECTION IS IT AWFULLER
I LOVE YOU AND YOU KNOW IT — THIS AT LEAST
VALENTINES FROM C.G.R
FAIRER THAN YOUNGER BEAUTIES, MORE BELOVED
A VALENTINE, 1877
A VALENTINE, 1878
A VALENTINE, 1879
A VALENTINE, 1880
ST. VALENTINE’S DAY, 1881
A VALENTINE 1882
FEBRUARY 14. 1883
A VALENTINE, 1884
Delphi Complete Poetical Works of Christina Rossetti Page 56