Life the Beloved (Delaware fair copy Manuscript)Dante Gabriel Rossetti1Digital images courtesy of the Delaware Art Museum, Samuel and Mary R.
Bancroft Collection.Life the Beloved (H of L)DGR1873Fair copyBancroft Collection, Delaware Art MuseumRossetti MSS Box 22
Commentary
Introduction
This is one of several fair copies of the sonnet that DGR transcribed. Its
text differs slightly but significantly from the received text.
white ruledThe text is written across the ruled lines of the paper. The six words written
below the text of the sonnet appear to be cues for possible revisions to the sonnet.Life the Beloved (H. of L.) As thy friend's face, in shadow of pain or dread, Somewhile unto thy sight must needs have been Ghastly and strange, yet never so is seenIn thought, but to all fortunate favour wed;As thy love's death-bound features never dead To memory's glass return, but contravene Deciduous days, and alway keep, I ween,Than all new life a livelier lovelihead:—So Life herself, thy spirit's friend and love, Even still as Spring's authentic harbinger Glows with fresh hours for hope to glorify;Though pale she lay when in the winter grove Her funeral flowers were snow-flakes shed on her And the red wings of frost-fire rent the sky.