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The Works of Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Edited with Preface and Notes by William M. Rossetti: Revised and Enlarged Edition

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VIII
Sonnet

On the 9th of June 1290

Upon a day, came Sorrow in to me,
Saying, “I've come to stay with thee a while;”
And I perceived that she had ushered Bile
And Pain into my house for company.
Wherefore I said, “Go forth—away with thee!”
But like a Greek she answered, full of guile,
And went on arguing in an easy style.
Then, looking, I saw Love come silently,
Habited in black raiment, smooth and new,
Having a black hat set upon his hair;
And certainly the tears he shed were true.
So that I asked, “What ails thee, trifler?”
Answering he said: “A grief to be gone through;
For our own lady's dying, brother dear.”