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Alfred Tennyson, invariably known as Alfred Lord Tennyson on all his books, was born in Somersby, Lincolnshire, the fourth of the twelve children of George Tennyson, clergyman, and his wife, Elizabeth. In 1816 Tennyson was sent to Louth Grammar School, which he disliked so intensely that from 1820 he was educated at home until at the age of 18 he joined his two brothers at Trinity College, Cambridge and with his brother Charles published his first book, Poems by Two Brothers the same year.
His second book, Poems Chiefly Lyrical was published in 1830. In 1833, Tennyson's best friend Arthur Henry Hallam, who was engaged to his sister, died, inspiring some of his best work including In Memoriam, Ulysses and the Passing of Arthur.
In 1850, following William Wordsworth, Tennyson was appointed Poet Laureate and married his childhood friend, Emily Sellwood. They had two children, Hallam born in 1852 and Lionel, two years later. In 1884, as a great favourite of both Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, he was raised to the peerage and was thereafter known as Baron Tennyson of Aldworth. He was the first Englishman to be granted such a high rank solely for literary distinction.
Tennyson continued to write poetry throughout his life and in the 1870s also wrote a number of plays. he died in 1892 at the age of 83 and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
For men may come and men may go, But I go on forever.
A poem that is almost lyrical to the sound the flowing water makes as it winds down the lanes, up and below the pebbles, rafting its way to its destiny.
The Tennyson poem is great, but the illustrations seem dated and washed out. Cries out for either modern or naturalistic illustrations - for example I adored Geneviève Côté's recent work with The Lady of Shalott.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS THE BROOK Designed by A. F. Bellows " I move the sweet forget-me-nots " Designed by L. B. Humphrey "That bloom for happy lovers" Designed by L. B. Humphrey " I come from haunts of coot and hern " Designed by L. B. Humphrey " Among my skimming swallows " Designed by L. B. Humphrey " I make a sudden sally " Designed by F. B. Schell 'By twenty thorps, a little town" Designed by A. F. Bellows "Till last by Philip's farm I flow" Designed by A. F. Bellows " To join the brimming river " Designed by A. F. Bellows " I chatter over stony ways " Designed by A. F. Bellows "With many a curve my banks I fret" Designed by A. F. Bellows " I wind about, and in and out " Designed by A. F. Bellows "And here and there a lusty trout" Designed by J. D. Woodward. " With many a silver waterbrook " Designed by A. F. Bellows. "To join the brimming river" Designed by A. F. Bellows "I steal by lawns and grassy plots" Designed by A. F. Bellows "I slide by hazel covers" Designed by A. F. Bellows "That grow for happy lovers" Designed by J. D. Woodward. " I glance among my skimming swallows " Designed by A. F. Bellows. " I murmur under moon and stars " Designed by F. B. Schell. "And flow to join the brimming river" Designed by A. F. Bellows.
A beautiful poem with beautiful poetic devices such as personification, alliteration, onomatopoeia, metaphors etc. Could feel the brook flowing. Could feel it singing. Could feel it growing. Could feel it maturing...
I started reading this and I was unsure about it. Then it grew on me as I thought about it more. Love how the illustrations tell a different story then the words while still linking to the poem. Also love the message that to me is how strong nature is, and also a commentary on time.
The images were soft and "country" which fitted perfectly with the words.
Final thoughts: I wasn't a huge fan, it won't be something I re-read (though maybe I would read the whole poem as this is an extract of it from what I read in the opening of the book). Saying that, it does have a peaceful quality to it and I can see myself recommending it to some friends.
I remember reading, 'Song of the brook' in my 6th grade in my literature class and man it has been my favourite since there. This is my book of always and forever my comfort reading