The Blood's Winter William Michael Rossetti Dante Gabriel Rossetti 1 By permission of the Special Collections Library, Duke University The Blood's Winter 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

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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. 34. The Blood's Winter The first two lines of DGR's revised text are written at the top of the page I shall not conquer, much as I may strive, The end is come. However much I strive For 'tis myself I'd conquer. Oh to I fail, between & so the end's come. I do think That in some moment Sometimes tho' even yet before I sink For ever in By mine own deeds to death and my soul dive Down without Not knowing whither down, I still alive ere it rive The chains that bind it fast on to Shall find out but when just on the mere brink Of the world's end, some strange and that one, that hidden unknown link Of feeling she now dreams not of may To bind her soul to mine. But No, let me drive Her heart in towards me! These thoughts away! God, too I know, will sever Our souls, even there: for she'll fly up to be there in the full House of his Saints, all crowned at peace; but I shall not so. Oh God! Oh God! I think ?/whereso Oh God! I am quite sure that I shall never See her again! that my own hands will pull Me down from her! My eyes feel burned and are hot. No, much remains to know. ------ W.M.