<title level="doc">La Bella Mano (For a Picture)

<title level="doc">La Bella Mano (For a Picture) Dante Gabriel Rossetti 1 © Harry Ranson Humanities Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin. [La Bella Mano] DGR 1875 corrected fair copy 1 page, verso blank DGR DGR Harry Ranson Humanities Research Center, U. of Texas MS File Rossetti, DG (Works) smooth white unlined none 7 1/16 x 4 1/2 in. Commentary

Introduction

While the manuscript is not dated, its condition suggestes that it was written near the time the painting was completed.

Textual History: Composition

Textual History: Revision

Production History

Reception History

Iconographic

Printing History

Pictorial

Historical

Literary

Translation

Autobiographical

Bibliographic

O lovely hand, that thy sweet self dost lave In that thy pure & proper element Whence erst the Lady of Love's high advent Was born, and endless fires sprang from the wave;— Even as to her Loves to her their offerings gave, For thee the jewelled gifts they bear, while ~~and~~ each ~~The hands and lips, the lips and eyes, outreach~~ Looks to those lips, of music-measured speech ~~Desire with more of bliss than man may crave.~~ The fount, & of more bliss than man may crave; In royal wise, ring-girt & bracelet-spann'd, A flower of Venus' own virginity, Go shine among thy sisterly sweet band; In maiden-minded converse delicately Evermore white & soft; until thou be, O hand, hearted handsel'd in a lover's hand.