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The Works of Tennyson

The Eversley Edition: Annotated by Alfred, Lord Tennyson: Edited by Hallam, Lord Tennyson
Tennyson, Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892)

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POEMS
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POEMS
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ENOCH ARDEN AND IN MEMORIAM
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THE PRINCESS AND MAUD
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[section]
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THE PRINCESS;
  
PROLOGUE.
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I
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II.
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III.
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IV.
 V. 
V.
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VI.
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VII.
  
CONCLUSION.
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[section]
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Additional lines and fragments of verse extracted from the notes.
 V. 
IDYLLS OF THE KING
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BALLADS AND OTHER POEMS
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DEMETER AND OTHER POEMS
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QUEEN MARY AND HAROLD
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BECKET AND OTHER PLAYS

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59

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY.

I

Year after year unto her feet,
She lying on her couch alone,
Across the purple coverlet,
The maiden's jet-black hair has grown,
On either side her tranced form
Forth streaming from a braid of pearl:
The slumbrous light is rich and warm,
And moves not on the rounded curl.

II

The silk star-broider'd coverlid
Unto her limbs itself doth mould
Languidly ever; and, amid
Her full black ringlets downward roll'd,
Glows forth each softly-shadow'd arm
With bracelets of the diamond bright.
Her constant beauty doth inform
Stillness with love, and day with light.
60

III

She sleeps: her breathings are not heard
In palace chambers far apart.
The fragrant tresses are not stirr'd
That lie upon her charmed heart.
She sleeps: on either hand upswells
The gold-fringed pillow lightly prest:
She sleeps, nor dreams, but ever dwells
A perfect form in perfect rest.
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