Classic and Contemporary Poetry
L.E.L., by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Downstairs I laugh, I sport and jest with all Last Line: When new spring builds new heaven and clean new earth.' Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina Subject(s): Landon, Leitia Elizabeth (1801-1838) | ||||||||
DOWNSTAIRS I laugh, I sport and jest with all; But in my solitary room above I turn my face in silence to the wall; My heart is breaking for a little love. Though winter frosts are done, And birds pair every one, And leaves peep out, for springtide is begun. I feel no spring, while spring is well-nigh blown, I find no nest, while nests are in the grove: Woe's me for mine own heart that dwells alone, My heart that breaketh for a little love. While golden in the sun Rivulets rise and run, While lilies bud, for springtide is begun. All love, are loved, save only I; their hearts Beat warm with love and joy, beat full thereof: They cannot guess, who play the pleasant parts, My heart is breaking for a little love. While bee-hives wake and whirr, And rabbit thins his fur, In living spring that sets the world astir. I deck myself with silks and jewelry, I plume myself like any mated dove: They praise my rustling show, and never see My heart is breaking for a little love. While sprouts green lavender With rosemary and myrrh, For in quick spring the sap is all astir. Perhaps some saints in glory guess the truth, Perhaps some angels read it as they move, And cry one to another full of ruth, 'Her heart is breaking for a little love.' Though other things have birth, And leap and sing for mirth, When springtime wakes and clothes and feeds the earth. Yet saith a saint, 'Take patience for thy scathe'; Yet saith an angel: 'Wait, and thou shalt prove True best is last, true life is born of death, O thou, heart-broken for a little love. Then love shall fill thy girth, And love make fat thy dearth, When new spring builds new heaven and clean new earth.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO L.E.L. ON THE DEATH OF FELICIA HEMANS by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING IT IS FINISHED' by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI ITALIA, IO TI SALUTO!' by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE HEART KNOWETH ITS OWN BITTERNESS' (2) by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI A BED OF FORGET-ME-NOTS by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI A BETTER RESURRECTION by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI A BIRTHDAY by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1) by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI A CHRISTMAS CAROL (2) by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI A DIRGE by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI |
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