Francesca da Rimini (late fair copy manuscript)Dante Gabriel Rossetti1Lilly Library, University of IndianaFrancesca da Rimini<lb/>(from Dante.<lb/>Inf. C. V.)Dante Gabriel Rossetti1879fair copy2 pagesLilly Library, University of Indianaruled laid whitenone8 5/8 x 7 inPaper from one of DGR's typical notebooks.
Commentary
Introduction
This copy of the poem is a late one. It is one of the manuscripts that came
to the Lilly Library laid into a large paper copy of the 1881
<hi rend="i">Poems</hi>
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Francesca da Rimini.<lb/>(from Dante.)<lb/>
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<title level="bk">Inf.
, C. V.
* * * * *When I made answer, I began: “Alas!How many sweet thoughts & how much desireLed these two onward to the dolorous pass!”—Then turned to them, as who would fain inquire,And said: “Francesca, these thine agoniesWring tears for pity & grief that they inspire:But tell me,—in the season of sweet sighs,When and what way did Love instruct you soThat he in your vague longing made you wise?”Then she to me: “There is no greater woeThan the remembrance brings of past happy daysIn misery; and this thy guide doth know.But if the first beginnings to retraceOf our sad love can yield thee solace here,So will I be as one that weeps and says.One day we read, for pastime & sweet cheer,Of Lancelot, how he found Love tyrannous;We were alone and without any fear.Our eyes were drawn together, reading thus,Full oft, & still our cheeks would pale & glow;But one sole point it was that conquered us.For when we read of that great lover, howHe kissed the smile which he had longed to win,—Then he whom nought can sever from me nowFor ever, kissed my mouth, all quivering.A Galahalt was the book, & he that writ:Upon that day we read no more therein.”At the tale told, while one soul uttered it,The other wept: a pangwoe so pitiableThat I was seized, like death, in swooning-fit,And even as a dead body falls, I fell.----------------