Miscellany and an Apology
I must apologise. This post will not be very well structured. There is a backlog of news but I cannot concentrate this evening enough to cover everything. I hope to catch up in the morning. I'm in the midst of a family crisis which has shaken me somewhat.
Regarding my previous post about the BBC's linking to the wrong Ruth Wilson, I am glad to say that they wrote back to me that very day and have since corrected the mistake.
This morning, Mandy from the Yahoo! BRONTE message board inquired about a poem by Charlotte called 'Watching and Wishing'. I went to the Project Gutenburg etexts for the Brontes' poems but it was not there. I have two 19th century editions of their poems and in these I found the poem she was looking for. I also found two other poems which are not available online either: 'When Thou Sleepest' by Charlotte and 'The Outcast Mother' by Emily. I have started making an etext for these but I will have to wait until I can concentrate properly before I continue it. I hope to have it ready sometime tomorrow.
Bronteana reader Vaire also sends along this slideshow from the BBC regarding the project to revive the Sri Lankan lace industry, a project which includes their new production of Jane Eyre.
I do have 'Watching and Wishing' prepared (although it still needs to be checked against the text). So here it is, for Mandy and the rest of my readers:
Watching and Wishing
Oh, would I were the golden light
That shines around thee now,
As slumber shades the spotless white
Of that unclouded brow!
It watches through each changeful dream
Thy features' varied play:
It meets thy waking eyes' soft gleam
By dawn--by op'ning day.
Oh, would I were the crimson veil
Above thy couch of snow,
To dye that cheek so soft, so pale,
With my reflected glow!
Oh, would I were the cord of gold
Whose tassel, set with pearls,
Just meets the silken cov'ring's fold
And rest upon thy curls,
Dishevelled in thy rosy sleep,
And shading soft thy dreams,
Across their bright and raven sweep
The golden tassel gleams!
I would be anything for thee,
My love- my radiant love--
A flower, a bird, for sympathy,
A watchful star above.
9 comments:
I do hope you are feeling better since :)
I was wondering, what is the date of that poem?
I am sorry to hear about your family crisis and I hope everything will be better soon. I enjoy your site so much. Thanks, Agnes
to mysticgypsy:
Some of the tension is gone but things were not resolved by the end of the evening. It looks like the next few days will be rough ones. But, yes, I would say that I feel somewhat more at ease.
As far as I can tell, or infer, the poem was published in Poems of C, A, and E Bell. Both editions I have place it in that work. Emily's is from 'Literary Remains of Ellis Bell.' One of the editions I am using has no date but from the illustrations I can guess it dates from the 1890s. The other edition is by Smith, Elder and Co. 1889 I believe.
to agnes:
Thank you. At least no one is ill. I would appreciate your prayers, Agnes. I'm also didn't know that you read my blog. I'm glad to know that you enjoy it.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I check your blog at least once a day and I find it fascinating. It is saved in my favorites. Take care and I hope all will be better soon. Agnes
Just wanted to say I'm sorry you are having a stressful time just now, I really hope things get better soon. I appreciate all the time and effort you put into this blog, I read it regularly, please keep up the good work. God Bless.
Very sorry to hear of your trouble - I do hope it is lessened soon. Take care!
Thank you Agnes, and Annonymous, and Liz for your encouragement and your prayers.
Thankyou for posting the beautiful poem! Hope your crisis is resolved, and peace comes to you again soon. I really do enjoy your blog alot (and have just figured out how to leave comments..duh, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out...)..Anyway, thanks!
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