Christina G. Rossetti

Mirage

The hope I dreamed of was a dream,
Was but a dream; and now I wake,
Exceeding comfortless, and worn, and old,
For a dream's sake.

I hang my harp upon a tree,
A weeping willow in a lake;
I hang my silenced harp there, wrung and snapt
For a dream's sake.

Lie still, lie still, my breaking heart;
My silent heart, lie still and break:
Life, and the world, and mine own self, are changed
For a dream's sake.

Passing away, Saith the World

Passing away, saith the World, passing away:
Chances, beauty and youth, sapp'd day by day:
Thy life never continueth in one stay.
Is the eye waxen dim, is the dark hair changing to grey
That hath won neither laurel nor bay?
I shall clothe myself in Spring and bud in May:
Thou, root-stricken, shalt not rebuild thy decay
On my bosom for aye.
Then I answer'd: Yea.

Passing away, saith my Soul, passing away:
With its burden of fear and hope, of labour and play,
Hearken what the past doth witness and say:
Rust in thy gold, a moth is in thine array,
A canker is in thy bud, thy leaf must decay.
At midnight, at cockcrow, at morning, one certain day
Lo, the Bridegroom shall come and shall not delay:
Watch thou and pray.
Then I answer'd: Yea.

Passing away, saith my God, passing away:
Winter passeth after the long delay:
New grapes on the vine, new figs on the tender spray,
Turtle calleth turtle in Heaven's May.
Though I tarry, wait for Me, trust Me, watch and pray.
Arise, come away, night is past and lo it is day,
My love, My sister, My spouse, thou shalt hear Me say.
Then I answer'd: Yea.

166 Albany St., London, N.W.
Tuesday morning

My dear Mr. Dodgson,

A thousand and one thanks --surely an appropriate number --for the funny pretty book you have so very kindly sent me. My Mother and Sister as well as myself made ourselves quite at home yesterday in Wonderland: and (if I an not shamefully old for such an avowal) I confess it would give me sincere pleasure to fall in with that conversational rabbit, that endearing puppy, that very sparkling dormouse. Of the hatter's acquaintance I am not ambitious, and the March hare may fairly remain an open question. The woodcuts are charming. Have you seen the few words of strong praise already awarded to your volume by theReader?

To descend to very prosy prose. Please do not forget that we are still in your debt for the last vignettes of my Sister: 9 copies, I think. Two or three months ago her carte was taken at Harrogate and turned out an admirable likeness.

My Mother and Sister unite in cordial remembrances. Pray believe me very truely yours,

Christina G. Rossetti

30 Torrington Square, W.C.

[1879-? 18 August]

My dear Gabriel,

Your charming letter to our Mother followed us up from Seaford this morning, and shedelightsin it (her own word) and sends you her love. We are so glad that Mr. Brown has come forward and met your latent affection, while we agree with you (keeping the matter to ourselves) in the extreme tenuity of 270. I hope that the name and fame accruing may serve as ballast to the light purse. ....

And now for your letter to me. I am amazed, amused, and as you may believe not a little pleased, at the 10 bid for my M.S., and am lying in wait for the formal communication from William. Alas! No more such refuse do I retain in stock-for till Mr. Watts enlightened me I laboured under the delusion that printer's copy was a perquisite of one's publisher; and now, too late, I deplore the originalSing-Song-embellishedwith my own vignettes!!! It is delightful to hear of Mr. Murray's success in life and to recollect that you were his early friend and helper.

I hope the predellas are turning out as beautiful as they promised to become.

Looking forward to our seeing you ere long, &c...