De Profundis
De Profundis
Original Text
A Pageant and Other Poems (London: Macmillan, 1881). PR 5237 P3 1881 ROBA. Text from Christina Rossetti, Poems (1890).
2 Oh why is earth set so remote?
3I cannot reach the nearest star
4 That hangs afloat.
5I would not care to reach the moon,
6 One round monotonous of change;
7Yet even she repeats her tune
8 Beyond my range.
9I never watch the scatter'd fire
10 Of stars, or sun's far-trailing train,
11But all my heart is one desire,
12 And all in vain:
13For I am bound with fleshly bands,
14 Joy, beauty, lie beyond my scope;
15I strain my heart, I stretch my hands,
16 And catch at hope.
Notes
1] The title, which means "Out of the depths," is taken from the first verse of Psalm 130. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1881
RPO poem Editors
Margaret Frances (Sister St. Francis) Nims
RPO Edition
3RP 3.319.
Rhyme