Sister Helen (fair copy fragment, lines 225-238, British Library) Dante Gabriel Rossetti 1 By permission of the British Library [Untitled] Dante Gabriel Rossetti 1879 (circa) fair copy manuscript One manuscript leaf with text on one side. DGR DGR British Library, Ashley Collection Ashley A.1388 unlined, cream: measurements: 17.8 x 11 cm Commentary
Introduction

This manuscript fragment is an early version of lines 225-238 of the received poem; it is part of the additional material (lines 204-245) that DGR added in 1881 to the New Edition of the <xref doc="a.1-1881.raw">Poems</xref> (1881). The manuscript was written in late 1879, probably in September or October.

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12 archival pagination number Her sobs I hear her sobs with the wind's sobs wed Sister Helen And h Her clasped hands hide rise to stretch from her bending head A head to hide till its grief lies dead: Pale hands crest where the bridal wreath sat red, Little brother O Mother Mary Mother Next wreath for death between Hell and Heaven. She may not speak, but she is nigh to swoon, Sister Helen, She lifts her lips & gasps on the moon O might I but hear her soul's blithe tune Little brother. O Mother Mary Mother A woman's wish prayer between Hell & Heaven