Rossetti Archive Textual Transcription
Document Title: Youth and Lordship (Boston Public Library corrected copy)
Author: Dante Gabriel Rossetti
Date of Composition: 1879-1880
Type of Manuscript: fair copy with corrections
The full Rossetti Archive record for this transcribed document is available.
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- My young lord's the lover
- Of earth and sky above,
- Of youth's sway & youth's play,
- Of songs and flowers & love.
- Yet for love's desire
- Green youth lacks the daring;
- Though one dream of fire,
- All his hours ensnaring,
- Burns the boy past bearing,—
- 10A girl to his desire.
- My young lord's the lover
- Of every burning thought
- That Love's skill will, that Love's w skill
- Within his breast has wrought.
- Lovely girl, look on him
- Soft as music's measure;
- Yield him, when you've won him,
- Joys and toys at pleasure;
- But to win your treasure,
- 20 Softly look upon him.
- My young lord's the lover
- Of every tender grace
- That woman, to woo man,
- Can wear in form or face.
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- Take him to your bosom
- Now, girl, or never;
- Let not your new blossom
- Of sweet kisses sever;
- Only guard for ever
- 30 Your boast within your bosom.
- My young lord's the lover
- Of every secret thing,
- Love-hidden, love-bidden
- This day to banqueting.
- Lovely girl, with vaunting
- Never tempt tomorrow:
- From all shapes enchanting
- Any joy can borrow,
- Still the spectre Sorrow
- 40 Rises up for haunting.
- And now my lord's the lover
- Of ah! so many a sweet,—
- Of roses, of spouses,
- As many as love may greet.
Electronic Archive Edition: 1
Source File:
41b-1871.bostonms.rad.xml
Copyright: Boston Public Library