The Question (for a Design) (corrected copy)Dante Gabriel Rossetti1Courtesy of the Oxford University PressThe Question (for a Design)Dante Gabriel Rossetti1882 Aprilcorrected copyHall CaineDGROxford University Press ArchivesFrederick Page filesunruled white (folded)8 7/8 x 7 in.
Commentary
Introduction
This is the only known manuscript of the sonnets, which were copied on DGR's deathbed by Hall Caine
from DGR's dictation and subsequently
corrected by DGR. It appears that DGR composed them in his head and not on paper.
Textual History: Composition
Textual History: Revision
Production History
Reception History
Iconographic
Printing History
Pictorial
Historical
Literary
Translation
Autobiographical
Bibliographic
The Question(for a design)I.This sea, deep furrowed as the face of Time,Mirrors the ghost of the removed moon;The peaks stand bristling round the waste lagune,While up the difficult summit steeply climbYouth, mManhood, Age, one triple labouring mime;And to the measure of some mystic runeLo!Hark how the restless waters importuneThese echoing steeps with chime & counterchime.What seek they? Lo, upreared against the rockThe Sphinx Time's visible silence, frontletedWith pPsyche wings, with eagle plumes arched oer.Ah, when those everlasting lips unlockAnd the old riddle of the world is read,What shall man find? or seeks he Evermore?IILo, the three seekers! Youth has sprung the firstTo question the Unknown: but see! he sinksProne to the earth,—becomes himself a sphinx,—A riddle of early death no love may burst.Sorely anhungered, heavily athirstFor knowledge, Manhood next to reach the TruthPeers in those eyes; till, haggard & uncouthWeekWeak Eld renews that question long rehearsed.Oh! and what answer? From the sad sea brimThe eyes ofo' the Sphinx stare through themidnight spell,Unwavering,—man's eternal quest to quell:While round the rock-steps of her throne doth swimThrough the wind-serried wave the moon's faint rim,Sole answer from the heaven invisible.D. G. Rossetti. 1882.