Rossetti Archive Textual Transcription

Document Title: Hero's Lamp (Rosenbach Library fair copy)
Author: Dante Gabriel Rossetti
Date of Composition: 1875
Type of Manuscript: fair copy manuscript

The full Rossetti Archive record for this transcribed document is available.

Image of page [1] page: [1]
Manuscript Addition: Sonnet LXXXVIII
Editorial Description: DGR's numeration in the upper right corner
Hero's Lamp
  • That lamp there fill'st in Eros' name to-night,
  • O Hero, shall the Sestian augurs take
  • Tomorrow, and for drowned Leander's sake
  • To Anteros its fireless lip shall plight.
  • Aye, waft the unspoken vow: yet dawn's first light
  • On ebbing storm & life twice ebb'd must break;
  • While 'neath no sunrise, by the Avernian lake,
  • Lo! Where love walks, Death's pallid neophyte!
  • That lamp within Anteros' shadowy shrine
  • 10Shall stand unlit (for so the gods decree)
  • Till some one man the happy issue see
  • Of a life's love and bid its flame to shine:
  • Which still may rest unfir'd; for mine or thine,
  • O brother, what brought love to thee or me?
Electronic Archive Edition: 1
Copyright: By permission of The Rosenbach Library