书城外语澳大利亚学生文学读本(第2册)
16405100000042

第42章 MINNIE AND WINNIE

Minnie and Winnie Slept in a shell; Sleep, little ladies!

And they slept well.

Pink was the shell within, Silver without;

Sounds of the great sea Wandered about.

Sleep, little ladies!

Wake not soon: Echo on echo

Dies to the moon.

Two bright stars Peeped into the shell.

What are they dreaming of?

Who can tell?

Started a green linnet Out of the croft:

Wake, little ladies,

The sun is aloft!

-Alfred Tennyson

Author.-Alfred Tennyson (1818-92) was born in England; he was the son of a clergyman. He attended a grammar school and completed his education at Cambridge University. He practised verse-making from his early years, spending his life at it. He was appointed Poet Laureate in 1850. Eight years before his death he was made a lord.

General Notes.-What colours had the shell? What music? Whopeeped in? Who roused Minnie and Winnie? Why?