Poems, Chiefly Lyrical/The Sleeping Beauty

by Alfred Tennyson

For works with similar titles, see Sleeping Beauty.

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY.

 

I.
Year after year unto her feet,
 The while she slumbereth alone,
Over the purpled coverlet
 The maiden's jetblack hair hath grown,
On either side her trancéd form
 Forthstreaming from a braid of pearl;
The slumbrous light is rich and warm,
 And moves not on the rounded curl.

II.
The silk starbraided coverlid
Unto her limbs itself doth mould
Languidly ever, and amid
Her full black ringlets downward rolled
Glows forth each softly-shadowed arm,
With bracelets of the diamond bright;
Her constant beauty doth inform
Stillness with love and day with light.

III.
She sleeps; her breathings are not heard
In palacechambers far apart;
The fragrant tresses are not stirred
That lie upon her charméd heart.
She sleeps; on either side upswells
The goldfringed pillow lightly prest;
She sleeps, nor dreams, but ever dwells
A perfect form in perfect rest.