The Woodspurge. Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882). V. Trees: Flowers: Plants. Bliss Carman, et al., eds. 1904. The World's Best Poetry. V. Nature

Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume V. Nature. 1904.

V. Trees: Flowers: Plants

The Woodspurge

Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828–1882)


THE WIND flapped loose, the wind was still,
Shaken out dead from tree and hill:
I had walked on at the wind’s will,—
I sat now, for the wind was still.

Between my knees my forehead was,—	5
My lips, drawn in, said not Alas!
My hair was over in the grass,
My naked ears heard the day pass.

My eyes, wide open, had the run
Of some ten weeds to fix upon;	10
Among those few, out of the sun,
The woodspurge flowered, three cups in one.

From perfect grief there need not be
Wisdom or even memory:
One thing then learnt remains to me,—	15
The woodspurge has a cup of three.