Sonnets

Component identifier:

Item 39

Content Summary:

Autograph manuscripts of the following sonnets.

1. "Red autumn in Valvins around thy bed"

2. "What tho' the outer day be brazen-rude"

3. "No emerald spring, no royal autumn red"

(At the foot of this manuscript Brennan has written:"Put these into 'Shadow of Lilith' after 'She listens by the sources' which forms an epigraph for the section, as 'Birds' does for 'Twilight of Disquietude' and the 'Royal hour' shall for the 'Labour of Night'. All sections are being enlarged.")

4. "O faded star, fall'n flower, O god deceas'd"

5. "O sunk in surge of purple, it is told"

The texts of these manuscripts differ slightly from the versions printed in Verse, 1960. The final sonnet has been signed by Brennan.

The verso of No. 5 is annotated by Brennan: "Dear Mr Stephens, Some sonnets here - I have been trying the form lately. I have translated some of Nietzsche's poems (the Dionysus - Dithyrambs or Songs of Zarathustra): shall I send? Also: could you do with a paper on Henri de Régnier, Yours, C.B."

Alongside is further memo to Brereton: "Sent to Stephens after volcanism about Tennyson, etc. Return'd after weeks delay with dry intimation 'I return the sonnets regretting that they cannot be utilized for the B', and no answer concerning the other matter offer'd. In any case he spares me the labour of copying out again for you - I am so lazy. C.B."

Names:

Christopher Brennan

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