The Complete Poems of Christina Rossetti A variorum edition: Edited, with textual notes and introductions, by R. W. Crump |
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Lines to my Grandfather. |
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 | The Complete Poems of Christina Rossetti |  |
Lines to my Grandfather.
Dear Grandpapa,
To be obedient,
I'll try and write a letter;
Which (as I hope you'll deem expedient)
Must serve for lack of better.
To be obedient,
I'll try and write a letter;
Which (as I hope you'll deem expedient)
Must serve for lack of better.
My muse of late was not prolific,
And sometimes I must feel
To make a verse a task terrific
Rather of woe than weal.
And sometimes I must feel
131
Rather of woe than weal.
As I have met with no adventure
Of wonder and refulgence,
I must write plain things at a venture
And trust to your indulgence.
Of wonder and refulgence,
I must write plain things at a venture
And trust to your indulgence.
The apple-tree is showing
Its blossom of bright red
With a soft colour glowing
Upon its leafy bed.
Its blossom of bright red
With a soft colour glowing
Upon its leafy bed.
The pear-tree's pure white blossom
Like stainless snow is seen;
And all earth's genial bosom
Is clothed with varied green.
Like stainless snow is seen;
And all earth's genial bosom
Is clothed with varied green.
The fragrant may is blooming,
The yellow cowslip blows;
Among its leaves entombing
Peeps forth the pale primrose.
The yellow cowslip blows;
Among its leaves entombing
Peeps forth the pale primrose.
The kingcup flowers and daisies
Are opening hard by;
And many another raises
Its head, to please and die.
Are opening hard by;
And many another raises
Its head, to please and die.
I love the gay wild flowers
Waving in fresh spring air;
Give me uncultured bowers
Before the bright parterre!
Waving in fresh spring air;
Give me uncultured bowers
Before the bright parterre!
And now my letter is concluded,
To do well I have striven;
And though news is well-nigh excluded,
I hope to be forgiven.
To do well I have striven;
And though news is well-nigh excluded,
I hope to be forgiven.
With love to all the beautiful,
And those who cannot slaughter,
I sign myself,
your dutiful,
Affectionate Granddaughter.
And those who cannot slaughter,
I sign myself,
your dutiful,
Affectionate Granddaughter.
| The Complete Poems of Christina Rossetti | |