This is a partial copy of the first author's proof for the front matter of
DGR's 1881
DGR revised the initial proofs for the front matter for this book twice, and
the library of the Delaware Art Museum preserves six partial sets of earlier
proofs for this signature where one can track DGR's successive acts of
revision. In addition to the
The Sonnets of the
The fragment of The Bride's Prelude, now first
printed, was written very
early, and takes its
here with
datet;
though its publication
in an unfinished state needs
some indulgence.
‘MANY poems in this volume were written between
1847 and 1853. Others are of recent date, and a few
belong to the
intervening period. It has been thought
unnecessary to specify the
earlier work, as nothing is
included which the author believes to be immature.’
The above brief note was prefixed to these poems
when first published in
1870. After several editions
they have now been for some time out of print.
The fifty sonnets of the
It is not unlikely that some may be displeased at
seeing the addition
thus made here late to the ballad of
‘Sister
Helen’. The writer's best excuse is the belief
that others
will wonder with himself how such a climax
failed to enter into the
first conception.
The fragment of ‘The Bride's Prelude’, now first
printed, was written earlier than almost anything in the
present
volume. There may perhaps be readers not
unwilling to have it
preserved; though its appearance
in an unfinished state needs some indulgence.