The Complete Poems of Christina Rossetti A variorum edition: Edited, with textual notes and introductions, by R. W. Crump |
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 | The Complete Poems of Christina Rossetti |  |
Despair.
1
Up rose the moon in glory,And glittered on the sea;
Up rose the stars around her,
Making the darkness flee.
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2
The nightingale's wild warblingRang in the far-off wood;
When in his Father's castle
A mournful figure stood.
3
His heart was almost bursting,He madly beat his breast;
As, in low plaintive accents,
His grief he thus exprest.
4
“Stars, shroud yourselves in darkness!Pale moon, withdraw thy light!
Let darkness hide the ocean
For ever from my sight;
5
“Hide cottage, town and city;—Appear no more, thou Sun!
But let in foreign countries
Thy cheering race be run.
6
“For I have lost my loved one!Low lies she in her grave!
Speak not to me of pleasure,
For her I could not save.
7
“Hark to the distant murmurAs waves break on the shore”—
When lo! a light came flashing
Along the corridor.
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8
The mystic form that bore itHe scarcely could discern;
Its flowing robe was blackness—
Higher the flame doth burn—
9
He cried, “What art thou, SpiritSo luminous and bright?”
A voice said, “I'm the maid, Sir,
A bringing in the light.”
| The Complete Poems of Christina Rossetti | |