Christina Rossetti

Christina Georgina Rossetti (5. december 1830 i London – 29. december 1894 smst.) var en britisk digter.

Hun var søster til kunstneren Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Faderen, Gabriele Rossetti, var politisk flygtning fra Neapel og moderen, Frances Polidori, var søster till Lord Byrons ven og læge John William Polidori.

Christina Rossetti blev privat uddannet. Som barn var hun meget syg. Hun skrev allerede poesi i teenageårene. Hendes forlovelse med kunstneren James Collinson blev brudt grundet religiøse forskelle. Den erfaring inspirerede hende til at skrive et af sine mest populære digte, ''Remember''. Mange af hendes vers henvendte sig til børn.

thumb|right|Portræt af ''Christina Rossetti'', af hendes bror, Dante Gabriel Rossetti

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The Milking-Maid (''Den Malkende Pige'')

The year stood at its equinox, And bluff the North was blowing. A bleat of lambs came from the flocks, Green hardy things were growing. I met a maid with shining locks, Where milky kine were lowing.

She wore a kerchief on her neck, Her bare arm showed its dimple. Her apron spread without a speck, Her air was frank and simple.

She milked into a wooden pail, And sang a country ditty - An innocent fond lovers' tale, That was not wise nor witty.

She kept in time without a beat, As true as church-bell ringers, Unless she tapped time with her feet, Or squeezed it with her fingers.

I stood a minute out of sight, Stood silent for a minute, To eye the pail, and creamy white The frothing milk within it. |

To eye the comely milking maid, Herself so fresh and creamy. “Good day to you!” at last I said, She turned her head to see me. “Good day!” she said with lifted head, Her eyes looked soft and dreamy.

And all the while she milked and milked The grave cow heavy-laden. I've seen grand ladies, plumed and silked, But not a sweeter maiden.

But not a sweeter fresher maid Than this in homely cotton, Whose pleasant face and silky braid I have not yet forgotten.

Perhaps my rose is overblown, Not rosy or too rosy. Perhaps in farmhouse of her own Some husband keeps her cosy. Where I should show a face unknown? - Good bye, my wayside posy! | |}

(Fra digtet ''"The Milking-Maid"'' (''"Den Malkende Pige"'') af Christina Georgina Rossetti) Fra Wikipedia