I wonder if the sap is stirring yet, If wintry birds are dreaming of a mate, If frozen snowdrops feel as yet the sun And crocus fires are kindling one by one: Sing, robin, sing; I still am sore in doubt concerning Spring. I wonder if the Springtide of this year Will bring another SpringContinue reading “The First Spring Day”
Search results for: rossetti
Face of the Deep (1.9-11)
Continuing with The Face of the Deep, Christina Georgina Rossetti’s 1892 devotional commentary on the Apocalypse, the first full commentary of any sort on that book written by a woman. Rossetti is one of the best poets in the English language, and her commentary is strewn with poetry throuhgout, which plays an integral role inContinue reading “Face of the Deep (1.9-11)”
While clod returns to clod
Before the mountains were brought forth, before Earth and the world were made, then God was God : And God will still be God when flames shall roar Round earth and heaven dissolving at His nod : And this God is our God, even while His rod Of righteous wrath falls on us smiting soreContinue reading “While clod returns to clod”
The Face of the Deep (1.7-8)
It’s been a long time since I’ve touched this. Herewith, I continue posting Christina Rossetti’s devotional commentary on the Apocalypse, The Face of the Deep, published in London in 1892 by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. This was, so far as is known, also the first verse-by-verse commentary on the entire Apocalypse by aContinue reading “The Face of the Deep (1.7-8)”
Seasons
Crocuses and snowdrops wither, Violets, primroses together, Fading with the fading Spring Before a fuller blossoming. O sweet Summer, pass not soon, Stay awhile the harvest-moon : O sweetest Summer, do not go, For Autumn’s next and next the snow. When Autumn comes the days are drear, It is the downfall of the year :Continue reading “Seasons”
An Alphabet
A is the Alphabet, A at its head ; A is an Antelope, agile to run. B is the Baker Boy bringing his bread, Or black Bear and brown Bear, both begging for bun. C is a Cornflower come with the corn ; C is a Cat with a comical look. D is a dinnerContinue reading “An Alphabet”
The Lotus Eaters
Ulysses to Penelope In a far distant land they dwell, Incomprehensible, Who love the shadow more than light, More than the sun the moon, Cool evening more than noon, Pale silver more than gold that glitters bright, A dark cloud overhangs their land Like a mighty hand, Never moving from above it ; A coolContinue reading “The Lotus Eaters”
Treasure for a thorn
At morn I plucked a rose and gave it Thee, A rose of joy and happy love and peace, A rose with scarce a thorn : But in the chillness of a second morn My rose bush drooped, and all its gay increase Was but one thorn that wounded me. I plucked the thorn andContinue reading “Treasure for a thorn”
To love Thee human-eyed
‘Launch out into the deep,’ Christ spake of old To Peter: and he launched into the deep; Strengthened should tempest wake which lay asleep, Strengthened to suffer heat or suffer cold. Thus, in Christ’s Prescience: patient to behold A fall, a rise, a scaling Heaven’s high steep; Prescience of Love, which deigned to overleap TheContinue reading “To love Thee human-eyed”
The Thread of Life
1 The irresponsive silence of the land, The irresponsive silence of the sea, Speak both one message of sense to me:— ‘Aloof, aloof, we stand aloof; so stand Thou too aloof bound with the flawless band Of inner solitude; we bind not thee; But who from thy self-chain shall set thee free? What heart shallContinue reading “The Thread of Life”