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

Dante Gabriel Rossetti 1828–82

Sonnets on Pictures. II. Mary Magdalene

RossetDG

“WHY wilt thou cast the roses from thine hair?

Nay, be thou all a rose,—wreath, lips, and cheek.

Nay, not this house,—that banquet-house we seek;

See how they kiss and enter; come thou there.

This delicate day of love we two will share

Till at our ear love’s whispering night shall speak.

What, sweet one,—hold’st thou still the foolish freak?

Nay, when I kiss thy feet they ’ll leave the stair.”

“Oh loose me! Seest thou not my Bridegroom’s face

That draws me to Him? For His feet my kiss,

My hair, my tears He craves to-day:—and oh!

What words can tell what other day and place

Shall see me clasp those blood-stain’d feet of His?

He needs me, calls me, loves me: let me go!”