Rossetti Archive Textual Transcription
Document Title: The Virgin Mary, Auchinleck Manuscript
Author: Dante Gabriel Rossetti
Date of Composition: 1847
Type of Manuscript: holograph fair copy
The
full Rossetti Archive record for this transcribed document is available.
page: [1]
Note: The poem is written in two vertical columns.
Manuscript Addition: Gabriel's poem on the other side has / been published—but not I
think / during his life
Editorial Description: WMR's pencil note along right margin
- So reinable and wise she was
- Both of wit and of deed,
- That each man had of the young thing
- Wonder and eke dread.
- She was never seen once wroth
- Nor lying once known,
- Nor dealt amiss with any man,
- But evermore held on.
- She sewed and spun and combed also
-
10Both the wool and the linne:
- Other earthly good had she none
- Her life for to win.
- All work days, all the while
- She worked constantly;
- Each morning, ere the day wore on,
- At her beads she would be.
- From under to mid-overnoon
- At her work she would sit,
- Weaving or spinning or sewing:
-
20Good she was of wit.
- Each evening she was at her beads
- With word and with thought:
- An angel came to her every day
- And from Heaven her meat brought.
- Little else men saw her eat:
- All the work that she made
- Among poor folk she portioned out
- And lived by God's aid.
Column Break
- When she of any sick heard tell,
-
30Anon to them she went,
- And comforted and made them whole
- By the grace that God sent.
(Auchinleck M.S. 12 - 1300)
Electronic Archive Edition: 1
Copyright: Published with the permission of Iziko Museums of Cape Town