Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti 1828–82

Sonnets on Pictures. I. A Venetian Pastoral

RossetDG

WATER, for anguish of the solstice:—nay,

But dip the vessel slowly,—nay, but lean

And hark how at its verge the wave sighs in

Reluctant. Hush! beyond all depth away

The heat lies silent at the brink of day:

Now the hand trails upon the viol-string

That sobs, and the brown faces cease to sing,

Sad with the whole of pleasure. Whither stray

Her eyes now, from whose mouth the slim pipes creep

And leave it pouting, while the shadow’d grass

Is cool against her naked side? Let be:—

Say nothing now unto her lest she weep,

Nor name this ever. Be it as it was,—

Life touching lips with Immortality.