The Complete Poems of Christina Rossetti :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Complete Poems of Christina Rossetti

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

Rossetti, Christina Georgina (1830-1894)

II.

III.

II.

III.

Collapse All | Expand All expand section

Can I know it?—Nay.—
Shall I know it?—Yea,
When all mists have cleared away
For ever and aye.—

Why not then today?—
Who hath said thee nay?
Lift a hopeful heart and pray
In a humble way.—

Other hearts are gay.—
Ask not joy today:
Toil today along thy way
Keeping grudge at bay.—

On a past May-day
Flowers pranked all the way;

303

Nightingales sang out their say
On a night of May.—

Dost thou covet May
On an Autumn day?
Foolish memory saith its say
Of sweets past away.—

Gone the bloom of May,
Autumn beareth bay:
Flowerless wreath for head grown grey
Seemly were today.—

Dost thou covet bay?
Ask it not today:
Rather for a palm-branch pray;
None will say thee nay.