Proserpine (For a Picture) (Texas MS, English version) Dante Gabriel Rossetti 1 © Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, the University of Texas at Austin Proserpine DGR 1877 fair copy 1 leaf, verso blank Harry Ransom Humanities Center, the University of Texas at Austin Ms File (Rossetti, DG) Works smooth white unlined 7 1/16 x 4 1/2 in. Commentary
Introduction

DGR wrote the two sonnets to accompany his painting, which dates from 1872, early in 1877, as his own note on the picture indicates. The Italian sonnet was written first, then the English version came as its translation.

 <hi rend="center">Proserpine.</hi> Afar away the light that brings cold cheer Unto this wall,—one instant & no more Admitted at my distant palace-door. Afar the flowers of Enna from this drear Dire fruit, which, tasted once, must thrall me here. Afar those skies from this Tartarean grey That chills me: and afar, how far away, The nights that shall be from the days that were. Afar from mine own self I seem, and wing Strange ways in thought, and listen for a sign: And still some heart unto some soul doth pine, (Whose sounds mine inner sense is fain to bring, Continually together murmuring,)— “Woe's me for thee, unhappy Proserpine!” Dante G. Rossetti