Songs in the South
London: D. Bogue: [Chiswick Press] (1881).
Item #7572
The British peer's first collection of verse, preceding Rose Leaf and Apple Leaf for which Oscar Wilde provided an introduction. Rodd and Wilde eventually parted ways after Wilde courted scandal and Rodd went on to a prominent career in the Foreign Service. The poem "If any one Return" has a particularly homoerotic caste.
By the high cliff's edge where the wild weeds twine,
And he would not speak or move,
But his eyes would gaze from his soul to mine,
My eyes that would answer without one sign,
And that were enough for love.
Good in parchment wrappers with ownership inscription of Henry Dunkin (alumnus with Rodd of Haileybury School) dated 1881. Wrappers chipped with loss at edges, penciled notes of Brian Reade on endpaper.
Price: $150.00