A Bloom in Hope's Garden William Michael Rossetti Dante Gabriel Rossetti 1 By permission of the Special Collections Library, Duke University A Bloom in Hope's Garden William Michael Rossetti Dante Gabriel Rossetti 1848 fair copy corrected 1 page DGR Duke University Library Rossetti Writings XXI. Eighteen Sonnets white ruled 6 3/8 x 8 1/8 in. Commentary
Introduction

This is apparently the only manuscript copy of the poem and is one of the eighteen bouts rimés sonnets by DGR and (apparently) WMR preserved in the Duke University Library. The numbers heading each of the sonnets suggest that they are selected from a larger group, perhaps comprising at least forty-four sonnets.

Textual History: Composition

Textual History: Revision

Production History

Reception History

Iconographic

Printing History

Pictorial

Historical

Literary

Translation

Autobiographical

Bibliographic

Baum, <hi rend="i"> <xref doc="a.z6616.r82d.rad" link="dead">Manuscripts in the Duke University Library</xref> </hi> , 14-16, 56-65

(7 m.) Notation at lower right indicating it was written in seven minutes. 20. A Bloom in Hope's Garden I came upon her looking in the glass When all her lady- friends were gone from but she remained at home: I paused upon the threshold; there was some Awe in my heart, before I dared to pass Into her chamber, as the sultry grass Feels a cool wind upon it, or the dome Of Holy Peter's Church that is in Rome Up among angels:— even so I was. As I passed in half stirred moved she turned; and I gained hope From the smile in her eyes like a sweet dream Of what is good and gentle put in rhyme By some young loving passioned poet: here the full scope Was reached Of all my life, I saw was gained; that beam what did but seem Within her eyes nor change could quench nor Before I knew it now & for all time. W.M.