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Rossetti Archive Textual Transcription

Document Title: For an Allegorical Dance of Women by Andrea Mantegna (In the Louvre) (WMR corrected copy)
Author: DGR
Date of Composition: 1849
Type of Manuscript: corrected fair copy
Scribe: WMR

The full Rossetti Archive record for this transcribed document is available.

Image of page [1] page: [1]
Manuscript Addition: 473
Editorial Description: In the upper right corner, the page number of WMR's projected volume.
Manuscript Addition: Rossetti
Editorial Description: WMR's pencil note in the upper left corner
more about For an Allegorical Dance of Women by Andrea Mantegna (In the Louvre)
For A n allegorical Dance of Nymphs, Women, by Andrea

Mantegna, in the Louvre
  • Scarcely, I think; yet it indeed may be
  • The meaning reached him, when this
  • music rang
  • Sharp Clear thro' his brain, a distinct rapid frame, a sweet possessive pang,
  • And he beheld these rocks & that ridged sea.
  • But I believe that, leaning towards them, he just leaned passively,
  • And Just felt their hair carried across his face
  • As each nymph girl passed him; nor gave
  • ear to trace
  • How many feet; nor bent assuredly
  • His eyes from the blind fixedness of thought
  • 10 To see know the dancers. It is bitter glad,
  • Even unto tears. Its meaning filleth it,
  • A portion of most secret secret of the wells of life: to wit—
  • Each human The heart's each pulse shall keep the sense
  • it had
  • With all, tho' the mind's labour run to
  • nought.
Electronic Archive Edition: 1
Source File: 38-1849.sangms.rad.xml
Copyright: By permission of the South African National Gallery