The House of Life by Dante Gabriel Rossetti: A Sonnet-Sequence : A Variorum Edition with Introduction and Notes

Described by W.S. Blunt as 'the greatest of the all the great Victorian poems', this sequence of 103 sonnets was composed between 1847 and 1881, and finally published complete in Ballads and Sonnets just six months before Rossetti's death. These passionate celebrations of the ecstasy of love threatened by change and Fate inspired the Aesthetes and Decadents of the eighties and nineties, leading to Walter Pater's Mona Lisa and Oscar Wilde's Salome.BR > This new edition of Rossetti's poetic masterpiece is presented here with Introduction, Notes and definitive texts and date. All variants are given for each poem (some sonnets exist in as many as eight versions), and each sonnet is given a documented date of composition and first publication. The illustrations include some rarely-seen images, notably a self-portrait by Elizabeth Siddal, the poet's wife, in whose coffin he placed his original poems, only to exhume them eight years later. ROGER C. LEWIS is Emeritus Professor of English, Acadia University, Nova Scotia, Canada. TABLE OF CONTENTS ......Page 8 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ......Page 11 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......Page 12 NOTE ON THE EDITED TEXT AND APPARATUS......Page 14 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND SIGLA ......Page 17 INTRODUCTION ......Page 24 SONNET TEXTS AND NOTES ......Page 50 [PROEM SONNET]......Page 58 Sonnet I. Love Enthroned.......Page 62 Sonnet II. Bridal Birth.......Page 63 Sonnet III. Love’s Testament.......Page 65 Sonnet IV. Lovesight.......Page 67 Sonnet V. Heart’s Hope.......Page 69 Sonnet VI. The Kiss.......Page 70 Sonnet VIa. Nuptial Sleep.......Page 71 Sonnet VII. Supreme Surrender.......Page 75 Sonnet VIII. Love’s Lovers.......Page 78 Sonnet IX. Passion and Worship.......Page 79 Sonnet X. The Portrait.......Page 81 Sonnet XI. The Love-Letter.......Page 84 Sonnet XII. The Lovers’ Walk.......Page 86 Sonnet XIII. Youth’s Antiphony.......Page 88 Sonnet XIV. Youth’s Spring-Tribute.......Page 90 Sonnet XV. The Birth-Bond.......Page 91 Sonnet XVI. A Day of Love.......Page 93 Sonnet XVII. Beauty’s Pageant.......Page 94 Sonnet XVIII. Genius in Beauty.......Page 95 Sonnet XIX. Silent Noon.......Page 96 Sonnet XX. Gracious Moonlight.......Page 99 Sonnet XXI. Love-Sweetness.......Page 101 Sonnet XXII. Heart’s Haven.......Page 103 Sonnet XXIII. Love’s Baubles.......Page 105 Sonnet XXIV. Pride of Youth.......Page 106 Sonnet XXV. Winged Hours.......Page 108 Sonnet XXVI. Mid-Rapture.......Page 109 Sonnet XXVII. Heart’s Compass.......Page 110 Sonnet XXVIII. Soul-Light.......Page 111 Sonnet XXIX. The Moonstar.......Page 113 Sonnet XXX. Last Fire.......Page 114 Sonnet XXXI. Her Gifts.......Page 115 Sonnet XXXII. Equal Troth.......Page 117 Sonnet XXXIII. Venus Victrix.......Page 119 Sonnet XXXIV. The Dark Glass.......Page 120 Sonnet XXXV. The Lamp’s Shrine......Page 121 Sonnet XXXVI. Life-in-Love.......Page 123 Sonnet XXXVII. The Love-Moon.......Page 125 Sonnet XXXVIII. The Morrow’s Message.......Page 126 Sonnet XXXIX. Sleepless Dreams.......Page 127 Sonnet XL. Severed Selves.......Page 129 Sonnet XLI. Through Death to Love.......Page 130 Sonnet XLII. Hope Overtaken.......Page 132 Sonnet XLIII. Love and Hope.......Page 134 Sonnet XLIV. Cloud and Wind.......Page 135 Sonnet XLV. Secret Parting.......Page 136 Sonnet XLVI. Parted Love.......Page 138 Sonnet XLVII. Broken Music.......Page 139 Sonnet XLVIII. Death-in-Love.......Page 140 Sonnets XLIX, L, LI, LII. Willowwood.......Page 142 Sonnet LIII. Without Her.......Page 152 Sonnet LIV. Love’s Fatality.......Page 153 Sonnet LV. Stillborn Love.......Page 154 I. Herself.......Page 156 II. Her Love.......Page 160 III. Her Heaven.......Page 162 End of Part I.......Page 165 Sonnet LX. Transfigured Life.......Page 167 Sonnet LXI. The Song-Throe.......Page 169 Sonnet LXII. The Soul’s Sphere.......Page 170 Sonnet LXIII. Inclusiveness.......Page 172 Sonnet LXIV. Ardour and Memory.......Page 174 Sonnet LXV. Known in Vain.......Page 177 Sonnet LXVI. The Heart of the Night.......Page 178 Sonnet LXVII. The Landmark.......Page 180 Sonnet LXVIII. A Dark Day.......Page 181 Sonnet LXIX. Autumn Idleness.......Page 184 Sonnet LXX. The Hill Summit.......Page 187 Sonnets LXXI., LXXII., LXXIII. The Choice.......Page 190 I. St. Luke the Painter.......Page 195 II. Not as These.......Page 197 III. The Husbandmen.......Page 200 Sonnet LXXVII. Soul’s Beauty.......Page 202 Sonnet LXXVIII. Body’s Beauty. ......Page 204 Sonnet LXXIX. The Monochord.......Page 207 Sonnet LXXX. From Dawn to Noon.......Page 209 Sonnet LXXXI. Memorial Thresholds.......Page 210 Sonnet LXXXII. Hoarded Joy.......Page 212 Sonnet LXXXIII. Barren Spring.......Page 214 Sonnet LXXXIV. Farewell to the Glen.......Page 216 Sonnet LXXXV. Vain Virtues.......Page 218 Sonnet LXXXVI. Lost Days.......Page 219 Sonnet LXXXVII. Death’s Songsters.......Page 220 Sonnet LXXXVIII. Hero’s Lamp.......Page 223 Sonnet LXXXIX. The Trees of the Garden.......Page 225 Sonnet XC. “Retro Me, Sathana!”.......Page 227 Sonnet XCI. Lost on Both Sides.......Page 230 Sonnets XCII., XCIII. The Sun’s Shame.......Page 232 Sonnet XCIV. Michelangelo’s Kiss.......Page 235 Sonnet XCV. The Vase of Life.......Page 237 Sonnet XCVI. Life the Beloved.......Page 238 Sonnet XCVII. A Superscription.......Page 239 Sonnet XCVIII. He and I.......Page 241 End of The House of Life.......Page 242 Sonnet CI. The One Hope.......Page 246 Appendix One. Dating and Ordonnance......Page 250 Appendix Two. Poems: Proof States......Page 270 Appendix Three. Poems: Chronology 1868–71......Page 273 Appendix Four. Poems: Bibliographical Summaries......Page 277 Appendix Five. Ballads and Sonnets: Chronology 1879–82......Page 284 Appendix Six. Ballads and Sonnets: Bibliographical Summaries......Page 297 Appendix Seven. Locations of Sources......Page 301 Appendix Eight. Unpublished and Excluded Sonnets......Page 311 Bibliography of Works Cited or Consulted......Page 321 D.S.Brewer TABLE OF CONTENTS 8 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 11 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 12 NOTE ON THE EDITED TEXT AND APPARATUS 14 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND SIGLA 17 INTRODUCTION 24 SONNET TEXTS AND NOTES 50 [PROEM SONNET] 58 Part I. Youth and Change. 62 Sonnet I. Love Enthroned. 62 Sonnet II. Bridal Birth. 63 Sonnet III. Love’s Testament. 65 Sonnet IV. Lovesight. 67 Sonnet V. Heart’s Hope. 69 Sonnet VI. The Kiss. 70 Sonnet VIa. Nuptial Sleep. 71 Sonnet VII. Supreme Surrender. 75 Sonnet VIII. Love’s Lovers. 78 Sonnet IX. Passion and Worship. 79 Sonnet X. The Portrait. 81 Sonnet XI. The Love-Letter. 84 Sonnet XII. The Lovers’ Walk. 86 Sonnet XIII. Youth’s Antiphony. 88 Sonnet XIV. Youth’s Spring-Tribute. 90 Sonnet XV. The Birth-Bond. 91 Sonnet XVI. A Day of Love. 93 Sonnet XVII. Beauty’s Pageant. 94 Sonnet XVIII. Genius in Beauty. 95 Sonnet XIX. Silent Noon. 96 Sonnet XX. Gracious Moonlight. 99 Sonnet XXI. Love-Sweetness. 101 Sonnet XXII. Heart’s Haven. 103 Sonnet XXIII. Love’s Baubles. 105 Sonnet XXIV. Pride of Youth. 106 Sonnet XXV. Winged Hours. 108 Sonnet XXVI. Mid-Rapture. 109 Sonnet XXVII. Heart’s Compass. 110 Sonnet XXVIII. Soul-Light. 111 Sonnet XXIX. The Moonstar. 113 Sonnet XXX. Last Fire. 114 Sonnet XXXI. Her Gifts. 115 Sonnet XXXII. Equal Troth. 117 Sonnet XXXIII. Venus Victrix. 119 Sonnet XXXIV. The Dark Glass. 120 Sonnet XXXV. The Lamp’s Shrine 121 Sonnet XXXVI. Life-in-Love. 123 Sonnet XXXVII. The Love-Moon. 125 Sonnet XXXVIII. The Morrow’s Message. 126 Sonnet XXXIX. Sleepless Dreams. 127 Sonnet XL. Severed Selves. 129 Sonnet XLI. Through Death to Love. 130 Sonnet XLII. Hope Overtaken. 132 Sonnet XLIII. Love and Hope. 134 Sonnet XLIV. Cloud and Wind. 135 Sonnet XLV. Secret Parting. 136 Sonnet XLVI. Parted Love. 138 Sonnet XLVII. Broken Music. 139 Sonnet XLVIII. Death-in-Love. 140 Sonnets XLIX, L, LI, LII. Willowwood. 142 Sonnet LIII. Without Her. 152 Sonnet LIV. Love’s Fatality. 153 Sonnet LV. Stillborn Love. 154 Sonnets LVI., LVII., LVIII. True Woman. 156 I. Herself. 156 II. Her Love. 160 III. Her Heaven. 162 Sonnet LIX. Love’s Last Gift. 165 End of Part I. 165 Part II. Change and Fate. 167 Sonnet LX. Transfigured Life. 167 Sonnet LXI. The Song-Throe. 169 Sonnet LXII. The Soul’s Sphere. 170 Sonnet LXIII. Inclusiveness. 172 Sonnet LXIV. Ardour and Memory. 174 Sonnet LXV. Known in Vain. 177 Sonnet LXVI. The Heart of the Night. 178 Sonnet LXVII. The Landmark. 180 Sonnet LXVIII. A Dark Day. 181 Sonnet LXIX. Autumn Idleness. 184 Sonnet LXX. The Hill Summit. 187 Sonnets LXXI., LXXII., LXXIII. The Choice. 190 Sonnets LXXIV., LXXV., LXXVI. Old and New Art. 195 I. St. Luke the Painter. 195 II. Not as These. 197 III. The Husbandmen. 200 Sonnet LXXVII. Soul’s Beauty. 202 Sonnet LXXVIII. Body’s Beauty. 204 Sonnet LXXIX. The Monochord. 207 Sonnet LXXX. From Dawn to Noon. 209 Sonnet LXXXI. Memorial Thresholds. 210 Sonnet LXXXII. Hoarded Joy. 212 Sonnet LXXXIII. Barren Spring. 214 Sonnet LXXXIV. Farewell to the Glen. 216 Sonnet LXXXV. Vain Virtues. 218 Sonnet LXXXVI. Lost Days. 219 Sonnet LXXXVII. Death’s Songsters. 220 Sonnet LXXXVIII. Hero’s Lamp. 223 Sonnet LXXXIX. The Trees of the Garden. 225 Sonnet XC. “Retro Me, Sathana!”. 227 Sonnet XCI. Lost on Both Sides. 230 Sonnets XCII., XCIII. The Sun’s Shame. 232 Sonnet XCIV. Michelangelo’s Kiss. 235 Sonnet XCV. The Vase of Life. 237 Sonnet XCVI. Life the Beloved. 238 Sonnet XCVII. A Superscription. 239 Sonnet XCVIII. He and I. 241 Sonnets XCIX., C. Newborn Death. 242 Sonnet CI. The One Hope. 246 End of The House of Life. 242 Appendix One. Dating and Ordonnance 250 Appendix Two. Poems: Proof States 270 Appendix Three. Poems: Chronology 1868–71 273 Appendix Four. Poems: Bibliographical Summaries 277 Appendix Five. Ballads and Sonnets: Chronology 1879–82 284 Appendix Six. Ballads and Sonnets: Bibliographical Summaries 297 Appendix Seven. Locations of Sources 301 Appendix Eight. Unpublished and Excluded Sonnets 311 Bibliography of Works Cited or Consulted 321 ISBN-13:,9781843841135 New and definitive edition of Rossetti's masterpiece, with full notes and apparatus.Described by W.S. Blunt as'the greatest of the all the great Victorian poems', this sequence of 103 sonnets was composed between 1847 and 1881, and finally published complete in Ballads and Sonnets just six months before Rossetti's death. These passionate celebrations of the ecstasy of love threatened by change and Fate inspired the Aesthetes and Decadents of the eighties and nineties, leading to Walter Pater's Mona Lisa and Oscar Wilde's Salome. This new edition of Rossetti's poetic masterpiece is presented here with Introduction, Notes and definitive texts and date. All variants are given for each poem (some sonnets exist in as many as eight versions), and each sonnet is given a documented date of composition and first publication. The illustrations include some rarely-seen images, notably a self-portrait by Elizabeth Siddal, the poet's wife, in whose coffin he placed his original poems, only to exhume them eight years later. ROGER C. LEWIS is Emeritus Professor of English, Acadia University, Nova Scotia, Canada.