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The Complete Poems of Christina Rossetti

A variorum edition: Edited, with textual notes and introductions, by R. W. Crump

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[Who shall my wandering thoughts steady & fix]

Who shall my wandering thoughts steady & fix
When I go forth into the world and gaze
Around me, thinking on mens evil ways
I wonder in myself to see how mix
Evil & good; beyond the Sleepy Styx
All things shall be unravelled whoso lays
These things to heart after the settled days
Shall know all. Even as a dog that licks
Your hand whom tears chide not away nor laughter
So to your souls clingeth the taint of crime
Shall it be ever so? & if not why?
The river bed is full of filthy slime

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And so our heart is lined with wonder: die
And having died thou shalt see all things after.