Explore "Lilian" by Alfred Tennyson on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
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.
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 gather'd wimple / Glancing with black-beaded eyes, / Till the lightning laughters dimple / The baby-roses in her cheeks; / Then away she flies.
Prythee weep, May Lilian! / Gayety 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.
Praying all I can, / If prayers will not hush thee, / Airy Lilian, / Like a rose-leaf I will crush thee, / Fairy Lilian.