The Early Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson Part 68

3

She sleeps: her breathings are not heard In palace chambers far apart. [3]

The fragrant tresses are not stirr'd That lie upon her charmed heart.

She sleeps: on either hand [4] upswells The gold-fringed pillow lightly prest: She sleeps, nor dreams, but ever dwells A perfect form in perfect rest.

[Footnote 1: 1830.

The while she slumbereth alone, _Over_ the purple coverlet, The maiden's jet-black hair hath grown.]

[Footnote 2: 1830. Star-braided.]

[Footnote 3: A writer in 'Notes and Queries', February, 1880, asks whether these lines mean that the lovely princess did _not_ snore so loud that she could be heard from one end of the palace to the other and whether it would not have detracted from her charms had that state of things been habitual. This brings into the field Dr. Gatty and other admirers of Tennyson, who, it must be owned, are not very successful in giving a satisfactory reply.]

[Footnote 4: 1830. Side.]

THE ARRIVAL

(No alteration after 1853.)

1

All precious things, discover'd late, To those that seek them issue forth; For love in sequel works with fate, And draws the veil from hidden worth.

He travels far from other skies His mantle glitters on the rocks-- A fairy Prince, with joyful eyes, And lighter footed than the fox.

2

The bodies and the bones of those That strove in other days to pa.s.s, Are wither'd in the th.o.r.n.y close, Or scatter'd blanching on [1] the gra.s.s.

He gazes on the silent dead: "They perish'd in their daring deeds."

This proverb flashes thro' his head, "The many fail: the one succeeds".

3

He comes, scarce knowing what he seeks: He breaks the hedge: he enters there: The colour flies into his cheeks: He trusts to light on something fair; For all his life the charm did talk About his path, and hover near With words of promise in his walk, And whisper'd voices at his ear. [2]

4

More close and close his footsteps wind; The Magic Music [3] in his heart Beats quick and quicker, till he find The quiet chamber far apart.

His spirit flutters like a lark, He stoops--to kiss her--on his knee.

"Love, if thy tresses be so dark, How dark those hidden eyes must be!

[Footnote 1: 1842 to 1851. In.]

[Footnote 2: All editions up to and including 1850. In his ear.]

[Footnote 3: All editions up to and including 1851. Not capitals in magic music.]

THE REVIVAL

No alteration after 1853.

1

A touch, a kiss! the charm was snapt.

There rose a noise of striking clocks, And feet that ran, and doors that clapt, And barking dogs, and crowing c.o.c.ks; A fuller light illumined all, A breeze thro' all the garden swept, A sudden hubbub shook the hall, And sixty feet the fountain leapt.

2

The hedge broke in, the banner blew, The butler drank, the steward scrawl'd, The fire shot up, the martin flew, The parrot scream'd, the peac.o.c.k squall'd, The maid and page renew'd their strife, The palace bang'd, and buzz'd and clackt, And all the long-pent stream of life Dash'd downward in a cataract.

3

And last with these [1] the king awoke, And in his chair himself uprear'd, And yawn'd, and rubb'd his face, and spoke, "By holy rood, a royal beard!

How say you? we have slept, my lords, My beard has grown into my lap."

The barons swore, with many words, 'Twas but an after-dinner's nap.

4

"Pardy," return'd the king, "but still My joints are something [2] stiff or so.

My lord, and shall we pa.s.s the bill I mention'd half an hour ago?"

The chancellor, sedate and vain, In courteous words return'd reply: But dallied with his golden chain, And, smiling, put the question by.

[Footnote 1: 1842 to 1851. And last of all.]

[Footnote 2: 1863. Somewhat.]