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Baum, Manuscripts in the Duke University Library, 11
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Gregory, Life and Works of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, II. 102
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Mégroz, Painter Poet of Heaven and Earth, 40-41
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Wise, The Ashley Library, IV. 109-11
This collection contains 3 texts and images, including:
Ashley Library Manuscript Text
Scholarly Commentary
Introduction
DGR sent the poem to Swinburne in a letter of 23 February 1870 as “one of fifty short pieces. . .which I have found among my reliques and rejected” from inclusion in the 1870 Poems volume. The latter volume would be published shortly after this letter, in April. DGR told Swinburne this was “what I may call my first poem (after still more childish things) I believe, and enclose it to you for a lark” (see Fredeman, Correspondence, 70. 32 ).
The poem serves to index the way DGR was thinking about his 1870 volume: as a book that was to represent the development and shape (both formal and historical) of his poetic work.
Textual History: Composition
The manuscript sent to Swinburne is dated 18 June 1845 by DGR—the thirtieth anniversary of Waterloo. A partial manuscript survives (Duke University library), probably from an early Notebook, which shows some revisions to the text. This manuscript is written on one of the leaves that comprise the Duke manuscript of “To Mary in Summer”.
Printing History
The poem was first printed (from the manuscript sent to Swinburne) in 1923 by T. J. Wise in the Ashley Library, IV. 109-111 ; Baum printed the Duke manuscript text in 1931 ( Manuscripts in the Duke University Library, 11 ).
Historical
The poem recreates the event of Waterloo (June 1815) at the moment that Napoleon realizes his defeat has been accomplished.