And blessings of the unknown year
So soon to overtake us here.
Unknown, yet well known: I portend
Love starts the course, love seals the end.
HYMN
O the bitter shame and sorrow
That a time could ever be,
When I let the Saviour’s pity
Plead in vain, and proudly answered
“All of Self, and none of Thee.”
Yet He found me; I beheld Him
Bleeding on the accursed Tree;
Heard Him pray “Forgive them, Father!”
And my wistful heart said faintly
“Some of Self, and some of Thee.”
Day by day, His tender mercy,
Healing, helping, full and free,
Sweet and strong, and ah! so patient,
Brought me lower, while I whispered
“Less of Self, and more of Thee.”
Higher than the highest Heaven,
Deeper than the deepest sea,
“Lord, Thy love at last hath conquered,
Grant me now my soul’s desire
None of Self, and all of Thee.”
The Poems
Regent’s Park, London — a frequent haunt of the young poet.
LIST OF POEMS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
THE LOVE OF CHRIST WHICH PASSETH KNOWLEDGE
A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK
A BETTER RESURRECTION
ADVENT: THIS ADVENT MOON SHINES COLD AND CLEAR
THE THREE ENEMIES
ONE CERTAINTY
CHRISTIAN AND JEW: A DIALOGUE
SWEET DEATH
SYMBOLS
CONSIDER THE LILIES OF THE FIELD
THE WORLD
A TESTIMONY
SLEEP AT SEA
FROM HOUSE TO HOME
OLD AND NEW YEAR DITTIES
AMEN
DESPISED AND REJECTED
LONG BARREN
IF ONLY
DOST THOU NOT CARE?
WEARY IN WELL-DOING
MARTYRS’ SONG
AFTER THIS THE JUDGEMENT
GOOD FRIDAY
THE LOWEST PLACE
GOBLIN MARKET
IN THE ROUND TOWER AT JHANSI, JUNE 8, 1857
DREAM LAND
AT HOME
A TRIAD
LOVE FROM THE NORTH
WINTER RAIN
COUSIN KATE
NOBLE SISTERS
SPRING
THE LAMBS OF GRASMERE, 1860
A BIRTHDAY
REMEMBER
AFTER DEATH
AN END
MY DREAM
SONG: OH ROSES FOR THE FLUSH OF YOUTH
THE HOUR AND THE GHOST
A SUMMER WISH
AN APPLE GATHERING
SONG: TWO DOVES UPON THE SELFSAME BRANCH
MAUDE CLARE
ECHO
WINTER: MY SECRET
ANOTHER SPRING
A PEAL OF BELLS
FATA MORGANA
NO, THANK YOU, JOHN
MAY: I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW IT WAS
A PAUSE OF THOUGHT
TWILIGHT CALM
WIFE TO HUSBAND
THREE SEASONS
MIRAGE
SHUT OUT
SOUND SLEEP
SONG: SHE SAT AND SANG ALWAY
SONG: WHEN I AM DEAD, MY DEAREST
DEAD BEFORE DEATH
BITTER FOR SWEET
SISTER MAUDE
REST
THE FIRST SPRING DAY
THE CONVENT THRESHOLD
UP-HILL
THE PRINCE’S PROGRESS
MAIDEN-SONG
JESSIE CAMERON
SPRING QUIET
THE POOR GHOST
A PORTRAIT
DREAM-LOVE
TWICE
SONGS IN A CORNFIELD
A YEAR’S WINDFALLS
THE QUEEN OF HEARTS
ONE DAY
A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW
LIGHT LOVE
ON THE WING
A RING POSY
BEAUTY IS VAIN
MAGGIE A LADY
WHAT WOULD I GIVE?
THE BOURNE
SUMMER
AUTUMN
THE GHOST’S PETITION
MEMORY
A ROYAL PRINCESS
SHALL I FORGET?
VANITY OF VANITIES: AH, WOE IS ME FOR PLEASURE THAT IS VAIN
L. E. L
LIFE AND DEATH
BIRD OR BEAST?
EVE
GROWN AND FLOWN
A FARM WALK
SOMEWHERE OR OTHER
A CHILL
CHILD’S TALK IN APRIL
GONE FOR EVER
THE INIQUITY OF THE FATHERS UPON THE CHILDREN
BY THE SEA
FROM SUNSET TO STAR RISE
DAYS OF VANITY
ONCE FOR ALL
ENRICA, 1865
AUTUMN VIOLETS
A DIRGE
THEY DESIRE A BETTER COUNTRY
A GREEN CORNFIELD
A BRIDE SONG
CONFLUENTS
THE LOWEST ROOM
DEAD HOPE
A DAUGHTER OF EVE
SONG: OH WHAT COMES OVER THE SEA
VENUS’ LOOKING-GLASS
LOVE LIES BLEEDING
BIRD RAPTURES
MY FRIEND
TWILIGHT NIGHT
A BIRD SONG
A SMILE AND A SIGH
AMOR MUNDI
THE GERMAN-FRENCH CAMPAIGN 1870-1871
THY BROTHER’S BLOOD CRIETH
TODAY FOR ME
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: IN THE BLEAK MID-WINTER
CONSIDER
BY THE WATERS OF BABYLON B.C. 570
PARADISE
MOTHER COUNTRY
I WILL LIFT UP MINE EYES UNTO THE HILLS
THE MASTER IS COME, AND CALLETH FOR THEE
WHO SHALL DELIVER ME?
WHEN MY HEART IS VEXED, I WILL COMPLAIN
AFTER COMMUNION
SAINTS AND ANGELS
A ROSE PLANT IN JERICHO
ANGELS AT THE FOOT
LOVE ME, — I LOVE YOU
MY BABY HAS A FATHER AND A MOTHER
OUR LITTLE BABY FELL ASLEEP
KOOKOOROOKOO! KOOKOOROOKOO!
BABY CRY
EIGHT O’CLOCK
BREAD AND MILK FOR BREAKFAST
THERE’S SNOW ON THE FIELDS
DEAD IN THE COLD, A SONG-SINGING THRUSH
I DUG AND DUG AMONGST THE SNOW
A CITY PLUM IS NOT A PLUM
YOUR BROTHER HAS A FALCON
HEAR WHAT THE MOURNFUL LINNETS SAY
A BABY’S CRADLE WITH NO BABY IN IT
HOP-O’-MY-THUMB AND LITTLE JACK HORNER
HOPE IS LIKE A HAREBELL TREMBLING FROM ITS BIRTH
O WIND, WHY DO YOU NEVER REST
CRYING, MY LITTLE ONE, FOOTSORE AND WEARY?
GROWING IN THE VALE
A LINNET IN A GILDED CAGE
WRENS AND ROBINS IN THE HEDGE
MY BABY HAS A MOTTLED FIST
WHY DID BABY DIE
IF ALL WERE RAIN AND NEVER SUN
O WIND, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN
ON THE GRASSY BANKS
RUSHES IN A WATERY PLACE
MINNIE AND MATTIE
HEARTSEASE IN MY GARDEN BED
IF I WERE A QUEEN
WHAT ARE HEAVY? SEA-SAND AND SORROW
THERE IS BUT ONE MAY IN THE YEAR
THE SUMMER NIGHTS ARE SHORT
THE DAYS ARE CLEAR
TWIST ME A CROWN OF WIND-FLOWERS
BROWN AND FURRY
A TOADSTOOL COMES UP IN A NIGHT
A POCKET HANDKERCHIEF TO HEM
IF A PIG WORE A WIG
SELDOM “CAN’T,”
1 AND 1 ARE 2
HOW MANY SECONDS IN A MINUTE?
WHAT WILL YOU GIVE ME FOR MY POUND?
JANUARY COLD DESOLATE
WHAT IS PINK? A ROSE IS PINK
MOTHER SHAKE THE CHERRY-TREE
A PIN HAS A HEAD, BUT HAS NO HAIR
HOPPING FROG, HOP HERE AND BE SEEN
WHERE INNOCENT BRIGHT-EYED DAISIES ARE
THE CITY MOUSE LIVES IN A HOUSE
WHAT DOES THE DONKEY BRAY ABOUT
THREE PLUM BUNS
A MOTHERLESS SOFT LAMBKIN
DANCING ON THE HILL-TOPS
WHEN FISHES SET UMBRELLAS UP
THE PEACOCK HAS A SCORE OF EYES
PUSSY HAS A WHISKERED FACE
THE DOG LIES IN HIS KENNEL
IF HOPE GREW ON A BUSH
I PLANTED A HAND
UNDER THE IVY BUSH
THERE IS ONE THAT HAS A HEAD WITHOUT AN EYE
IF A MOUSE COULD FLY
SING ME A SONG
THE LILY HAS AN AIR
MARGARET HAS A MILKING-PAIL
IN THE MEADOW — WHAT IN THE MEADOW?
A FRISKY LAMB
MIX A PANCAKE
THE WIND HAS SUCH A RAINY SOUND
THREE LITTLE CHILDREN
FLY AWAY, FLY AWAY OVER THE SEA
MINNIE BAKES OATEN CAKES
A WHITE HEN SITTING
CURRANTS ON A BUSH
I HAVE BUT ONE ROSE IN THE WORLD
ROSY MAIDEN WINIFRED
WHEN THE COWS COME HOME THE MILK IS COMING
ROSES BLUSHING RED AND WHITE
DING A DING
A RING UPON HER FINGER
FERRY ME ACROSS THE WATER
WHEN A MOUNTING SKYLARK SINGS
WHO HAS SEEN THE WIND?
THE HORSES OF THE SEA
O SAILOR, COME ASHORE
A DIAMOND OR A COAL?
AN EMERALD IS AS GREEN AS GRASS
BOATS SAIL ON THE RIVERS
THE LILY HAS A SMOOTH STALK
HURT NO LIVING THING
I CAUGHT A LITTLE LADYBIRD
ALL THE BELLS WERE RINGING
WEE WEE HUSBAND
I HAVE A LITTLE HUSBAND
THE DEAR OLD WOMAN IN THE LANE
SWIFT AND SURE THE SWALLOW
I DREAMT I CAUGHT A LITTLE OWL
WHAT DOES THE BEE DO?
I HAVE A POLL PARROT
A HOUSE OF CARDS
THE ROSE WITH SUCH A BONNY BLUSH
THE ROSE THAT BLUSHES ROSY RED
OH, FAIR TO SEE
CLEVER LITTLE WILLIE WEE
THE PEACH TREE ON THE SOUTHERN WALL
A ROSE HAS THORNS AS WELL AS HONEY
IS THE MOON TIRED? SHE LOOKS SO PALE
IF STARS DROPPED OUT OF HEAVEN
GOODBYE IN FEAR, GOODBYE IN SORROW
IF THE SUN COULD TELL US HALF
IF THE MOON CAME FROM HEAVEN
O LADY MOON, YOUR HORNS POINT TOWARD THE EAST
WHAT DO THE STARS DO
MOTHERLESS BABY AND BABYLESS MOTHER
CRIMSON CURTAINS ROUND MY MOTHER’S BED
BABY LIES SO FAST ASLEEP
I KNOW A BABY, SUCH A BABY
LULLABY, OH, LULLABY!
LIE A-BED
BROWNIE, BROWNIE, LET DOWN YOUR MILK
STROKE A FLINT, AND THERE IS NOTHING TO ADMIRE
I AM A KING
PLAYING AT BOB CHERRY
BLIND FROM MY BIRTH
SONNETS ARE FULL OF LOVE, AND THIS MY TOME
THE KEY-NOTE
PASTIME
ITALIA, IO TI SALUTO!
MIRRORS OF LIFE AND DEATH
A BALLAD OF BODING
YET A LITTLE WHILE
HE AND SHE
MONNA INNOMINATA
LUSCIOUS AND SORROWFUL
DE PROFUNDIS
TEMPUS FUGIT
GOLDEN GLORIES
JOHNNY
HOLLOW-SOUNDING AND MYSTERIOUS
MAIDEN MAY
TILL TOMORROW
DEATH-WATCHES
TOUCHING NEVER
BRANDONS BOTH
A LIFE’S PARALLELS
AT LAST
GOLDEN SILENCES
IN THE WILLOW SHADE
FLUTTERED WINGS
A FISHER-WIFE
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
MARIANA
MEMENTO MORI
ONE FOOT ON SEA, AND ONE ON SHORE
BUDS AND BABIES
BOY JOHNNY
FREAKS OF FASHION
AN OCTOBER GARDEN
SUMMER IS ENDED
PASSING AND GLASSING
I WILL ARISE
A PRODIGAL SON
SOEUR LOUISE DE LA MISÉRICORDE
AN IMMURATA SISTER
IF THOU SAYEST, BEHOLD, WE KNEW IT NOT
THE THREAD OF LIFE
AN OLD-WORLD THICKET
ALL THY WORKS PRAISE THEE, O LORD
LATER LIFE: A DOUBLE SONNET OF SONNETS
FOR THINE OWN SAKE, O MY GOD
UNTIL THE DAY BREAK
OF HIM THAT WAS READY TO PERISH
BEHOLD THE MAN!
THE DESCENT FROM THE CROSS
IT IS FINISHED
AN EASTER CAROL
BEHOLD A SHAKING
ALL SAINTS
TAKE CARE OF HIM
A MARTYR
WHY?
LOVE IS STRONG AS DEATH
BIRCHINGTON CHURCHYARD
ONE SEA-SIDE GRAVE
BROTHER BRUIN
A HELPMEET FOR HIM
A SONG OF FLIGHT
A WINTRY SONNET
RESURGAM
TODAY’S BURDEN
THERE IS A BUDDING MORROW IN MIDNIGHT
EXULTATE DEO
A HOPE CAROL
CHRISTMAS CAROLS
WHOSO HEARS A CHIMING FOR CHRISTMAS AT THE NIGHEST
A HOLY, HEAVENLY CHIME
LO! NEWBORN JESUS
A CANDLEMAS DIALOGUE
MARY MAGDALENE AND THE OTHER MARY
PATIENCE OF HOPE
ALONE LORD GOD, IN WHOM OUR TRUST AND PEACE
SEVEN VIALS HOLD THY WRATH: BUT WHAT CAN HOLD
WHERE NEITHER RUST NOR MOTH DOTH CORRUPT
AS THE SPARKS FLY UPWARDS
LORD, MAKE US ALL LOVE ALL: THAT WHEN WE MEET
O LORD, I AM ASHAMED TO SEEK THY FACE
IT IS NOT DEATH, O CHRIST, TO DIE FOR THEE
LORD, GRANT US EYES TO SEE AND EARS TO HEAR
CRIED OUT WITH TEARS
O LORD, ON WHOM WE GAZE AND DARE NOT GAZE
I WILL COME AND HEAL HIM
AH LORD, LORD, IF MY HEART WERE RIGHT WITH THINE
THE GOLD OF THAT LAND IS GOOD
WEIGH ALL MY FAULTS AND FOLLIES RIGHTEOUSLY
LORD, GRANT ME GRACE TO LOVE THEE IN MY PAIN
LIGHT OF LIGHT
THE RANSOMED OF THE LORD
LORD, WE ARE RIVERS RUNNING TO THY SEA
AN EXCEEDING BITTER CRY
O LORD, WHEN THOU DIDST CALL ME, DIDST THOU KNOW
THOU, GOD, SEEST ME
LORD JESUS, WHO WOULD THINK THAT I AM THINE?
THE NAME OF JESUS
LORD GOD OF HOSTS, MOST HOLY AND MOST HIGH
LORD, WHAT HAVE I THAT I MAY OFFER THEE?
IF I SHOULD SAY “MY HEART IS IN MY HOME
LEAF FROM LEAF CHRIST KNOWS
LORD, CARRY ME. — NAY, BUT I GRANT THEE STRENGTH
LORD, I AM HERE. — BUT, CHILD, I LOOK FOR THEE
NEW CREATURES; THE CREATOR STILL THE SAME
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
THY NAME, O CHRIST, AS INCENSE STREAMING FORTH
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
REJOICE WITH ME
SHALL NOT THE JUDGE OF ALL THE EARTH DO RIGHT?
ME AND MY GIFT: KIND LORD, BEHOLD
HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF
SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD
LORD JESU, THOU ART SWEETNESS TO MY SOUL
I, LORD, THY FOOLISH SINNER LOW AND SMALL
BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US
LORD, HAST THOU SO LOVED US, AND WILL NOT WE
AS THE DOVE WHICH FOUND NO REST
THOU ART FAIRER THAN THE CHILDREN
OF MEN
AS THE APPLE TREE AMONG THE TREES OF THE WOOD
NONE OTHER LAMB, NONE OTHER NAME
THY FRIEND AND THY FATHER’S FRIEND FORGET NOT
SURELY HE HATH BORNE OUR GRIEFS
THEY TOIL NOT, NEITHER DO THEY SPIN
DARKNESS AND LIGHT ARE BOTH ALIKE TO THEE
AND NOW WHY TARRIEST THOU?
HAVE I NOT STRIVEN, MY GOD, AND WATCHED AND PRAYED?
GOD IS OUR HOPE AND STRENGTH
DAY AND NIGHT THE ACCUSER MAKES NO PAUSE
O MINE ENEMY
LORD, DOST THOU LOOK ON ME, AND WILL NOT I
PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU
O CHRIST OUR ALL IN EACH, OUR ALL IN ALL!
BECAUSE THY LOVE HATH SOUGHT ME
THY FAINTING SPOUSE, YET STILL THY SPOUSE
LIKE AS THE HART DESIRETH THE WATER BROOKS
THAT WHERE I AM, THERE YE MAY BE ALSO
JUDGE NOT ACCORDING TO THE APPEARANCE
MY GOD, WILT THOU ACCEPT, AND WILL NOT WE
A CHILL BLANK WORLD. YET OVER THE UTMOST SEA
THE CHIEFEST AMONG TEN THOUSAND
ADVENT SUNDAY
ADVENT
SOONER OR LATER: YET AT LAST
CHRISTMAS EVE
CHRISTMAS DAY
CHRISTMASTIDE
ST. JOHN, APOSTLE
BELOVED, LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER, SAYS ST. JOHN
HOLY INNOCENTS
UNSPOTTED LAMBS TO FOLLOW THE ONE LAMB
EPIPHANY
EPIPHANYTIDE
SEPTUAGESIMA
SEXAGESIMA
THAT EDEN OF EARTH’S SUNRISE CANNOT VIE
QUINQUAGESIMA
PITEOUS MY RHYME IS
ASH WEDNESDAY
GOOD LORD, TODAY
LENT
EMBERTIDE
MID-LENT
PASSIONTIDE
PALM SUNDAY
MONDAY IN HOLY WEEK
TUESDAY IN HOLY WEEK
WEDNESDAY IN HOLY WEEK
MAUNDY THURSDAY
GOOD FRIDAY MORNING
GOOD FRIDAY
GOOD FRIDAY EVENING
A BUNDLE OF MYRRH IS MY WELL-BELOVED UNTO ME
EASTER EVEN
OUR CHURCH PALMS ARE BUDDING WILLOW TWIGS
EASTER DAY
EASTER MONDAY
EASTER TUESDAY
ROGATIONTIDE
ASCENSION EVE
ASCENSION DAY
WHITSUN EVE
WHITSUN DAY
WHITSUN MONDAY
WHITSUN TUESDAY
TRINITY SUNDAY
CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL
IN WEARINESS AND PAINFULNESS ST. PAUL
VIGIL OF THE PRESENTATION
FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION
THE PURIFICATION OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN
VIGIL OF THE ANNUNCIATION
FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION
HERSELF A ROSE, WHO BORE THE ROSE
ST. MARK
ST. BARNABAS
VIGIL OF ST. PETER
ST. PETER
ST. PETER ONCE: “LORD, DOST THOU WASH MY FEET?”
I FOLLOWED THEE, MY GOD, I FOLLOWED THEE
VIGIL OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW
ST. BARTHOLOMEW
ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS
VIGIL OF ALL SAINTS
ALL SAINTS
ALL SAINTS: MARTYRS
I GAVE A SWEET SMELL
Delphi Complete Poetical Works of Christina Rossetti Page 77