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?
