Down Stream Dante Gabriel Rossetti 1 University of British Columbia The River's Record Dante Gabriel Rossetti 1871 fair copy University of British Columbia Library, Colbeck Collection Mrs. Gabriele Rossetti The poem is an enclosure in DGR's letter to his mother of 11 August 1871. Commentary
Introduction

This copy of the poem is the third of three that he sent in letters of late July and early August 1871 (the other two to William Bell Scott and Thomas Gordon Hake). The text here is taken from the manuscript that DGR sent in a letter to his mother of 11 August 1871 (see also Fredeman, <hi rend="i">Correspondence</hi> no. 71. 120 ).

 The River's Record Between Holmscote and Hurstcote The river-reaches wind, The whispering trees accept the breeze, The ripple's cool and kind: With love low-whispered 'twixt the shores, With rippling laughters gay, With white arms bared to ply the oars, On last year's first of May. Between Holmscote and Hurstcote The river's brimmed with rain, Through close-met banks and parted banks Now near now far again: With parting tears caressed to smiles, With meeting promised soon, With every sweet vow that beguiles, On last year's first of June. Between Holmscote and Hurstcote The river's flecked with foam, 'Neath shuddering clouds that hang in shrouds And lost winds wild for home: With infant wailings at the breast, With homeless steps astray, With wanderings shuddering tow'rds one rest, On this year's first of May. Between Holmscote and Hurstcote The summer river flows With doubled flight of moons by night And lilies' deep repose: With lo! beneath the moon's white stare A white face not the moon, With lilies meshed in tangled hair, On this year's first of June. Between Holmscote and Hurstcote A troth was given and riven, From heart's trust grew one life to two, Two lost lives cry to Heaven: With banks spread calm to meet the sky, With meadows newly mowed, The harvest paths of glad July, The sweet school-children's road.