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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)

expand sectionI. 
POEMS
expand sectionII. 
POEMS
expand sectionIII. 
ENOCH ARDEN AND IN MEMORIAM
expand sectionVII. 
THE PRINCESS AND MAUD
 V. 
IDYLLS OF THE KING
expand sectionIII. 
BALLADS AND OTHER POEMS
expand sectionIV. 
DEMETER AND OTHER POEMS
expand sectionVIII. 
QUEEN MARY AND HAROLD
collapse sectionIX. 
BECKET AND OTHER PLAYS
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THE FORESTERS
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APPENDIX.

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21

LILIAN.

I.

Airy, fairy Lilian,
Flitting, fairy Lilian,
When I ask her if she love me,
Claps her tiny hands above me,
Laughing all she can;
She'll not tell me if she love me,
Cruel little Lilian.

II.

When my passion seeks
Pleasance in love-sighs,
She, looking thro' and thro' me
Thoroughly to undo me,
Smiling, never speaks:
So innocent-arch, so cunning-simple,
From beneath her gathered wimple
Glancing with black-beaded eyes,
22

Till the lightning laughters dimple
The baby-roses in her cheeks;
Then away she flies.

III.

Prythee weep, May Lilian!
Gaiety without eclipse
Wearieth me, May Lilian:
Thro' my very heart it thrilleth
When from crimson-threaded lips
Silver-treble laughter trilleth:
Prythee weep, May Lilian.

IV.

Praying all I can,
If prayers will not hush thee,
Airy Lilian,
Like a rose-leaf I will crush thee,
Fairy Lilian.
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