“In an Artist's Studio”
By
Christina Rossetti
Text Rhyme Line
One
face looks out from all his canvasses[i], a 01
One selfsame figure sits or walks or leans; b 02
We found her hidden just behind those screens, b 03
That mirror gave back all her loveliness. a 04
A queen in opal[ii] or in ruby dress, a 05
A nameless girl in freshest summer greens, b 06
A saint, an angel; — every canvass means b 07
The same one meaning, neither more nor less. a 08
He feeds upon her face by day and night, c 09
And she with true kind eyes looks back on him d 10
Fair as the moon and joyful as the light: c 11
Not wan[iii]
with waiting, not with sorrow dim[iv]; d 12
Not as she is, but was when hope shone bright; c 13
Not as she is, but as she fills his dream. d 14
[i] Free Online Dictionary http://www.thefreedictionary.com/canvass:
canvass noun:
1. An
examination or discussion.
[ii] LDOCE Online - http://pewebdic2.cw.idm.fr/: a type of white stone with changing colours in it, often used in
jewellery.
[iii] LDOCE Online - http://pewebdic2.cw.idm.fr/: literary looking pale,
weak, or tired.
[iv] LDOCE Online - http://pewebdic2.cw.idm.fr/: if a light dims, or if you dim it, it becomes less bright.
Academic year 2007/2008
© a.r.e.a./Dr.Vicente Forés López
© Asier Escrivà Gonzàlez
aesgon@alumni.uv.es
Universitat de València Press