A Prayer (corrected fair copy, partial manuscript) Dante Gabriel Rossetti 1 Digital images courtesy of the Delaware Art Museum, Samuel and Mary R. Bancroft Collection. A Prayer DGR 1846 corrected fair copy, partial manuscript The poem dates from 1846, but this manuscript was scripted in the mid-1860s, and corrected, probably, in late 1869. DGR DGR Delaware Art Museum, Bancroft Collection Box 22 no. 54 Purchased from T. J. Wise in July 1927. lined notebook paper, 20.7 x 16.3 cm Commentary
Introduction

This is a fair copy with a few corrections, though the manuscript is truncated after the third stanza. The manuscript appears on the verso of the final page of the manuscript of “Jenny” in the Delaware Art Museum. The manuscript was produced sometime in the 1860s, though the corrections are likely to have been made later, in 1869.

Textual History: Composition

Textual History: Revision

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Lady, in thy proud eyes There is a weary look, As if the spirit which shows we know through them Frightened itself and shook Were daunted with rebuke To think that henceforth the heart of man henceforth Is read like a read book. Lady, in thy lifted face The solitude is sore; The true solitude follows the crowd. Will it be less or more When the words have been spoken to thee Which my thought is seeking for. Lady, canst thou not guess The words which my thoughts seek? Perhaps thou deem'st them well to spurn And better not to speak. Oh! thou must know my love is strong, Hearing my voice so weak!