The Woodspurge

The Woodspurge

Original Text
Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Poems (Boston: Roberts Bros., 1870). PR 5240 E70 ROBA. Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Poems (London: Ellis and White, 1881). end R677 A155 1881 Fisher Rare Book Library (Toronto).
2Shaken out dead from tree and hill:
3I had walk'd on at the wind's will,--
4I sat now, for the wind was still.
5Between my knees my forehead was,--
6My lips, drawn in, said not Alas!
7My hair was over in the grass,
8My naked ears heard the day pass.
9My eyes, wide open, had the run
10Of some ten weeds to fix upon;
11Among those few, out of the sun,
12The woodspurge flower'd, three cups in one.
13From perfect grief there need not be
14Wisdom or even memory:
15One thing then learnt remains to me,--
16The woodspurge has a cup of three.

Notes

1] The woodspurge, a plant of the very large genus Euphorbia, has a cup-like flower. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1870
RPO poem Editors
Margaret Frances (Sister St. Francis) Nims
RPO Edition
3RP 3.278.
Rhyme