MARY MAGDALENE AT THE DOOR OF SIMON THE PHARISEE (FOR A DRAWING)

MARY MAGDALENE AT THE DOOR OF SIMON THE PHARISEE

(FOR A DRAWING)

‘Why wilt thou cast the roses from thine hair?

  Nay, be thou all a rose — wreath, lips, and cheek.

  Nay, not this house, — that banquet-house we seek;

See how they kiss and enter; come thou there.

This delicate day of love we two will share

  Till at our ear love’s whispering night shall speak.

  What, sweet one, — hold’st thou still the foolish freak?

Nay, when I kiss thy feet they’ll leave the stair.’

‘Oh loose me! Seest thou not my Bridegroom’s face

  That draws me to Him? For His feet my kiss,

        My hair, my tears He craves to-day: — and oh!

What words can tell what other day and place

  Shall see me clasp those blood-stained feet of His?

        He needs me, calls me, loves me: let me go!’

Dante Gabriel Rossetti MARY MAGDALENE AT THE DOOR OF SIMON THE PHARISEE Pen and India ink. 1858 Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

Данте Габриэль Россетти МАРИЯ МАГДАЛИНА У ДВЕРЕЙ СИМОНА ФАРИСЕЯ Перо, тушь. 1858 Музей Фицуильяма, Кембридж