The poetry of Tennyson, like that of Shakspeare, seems to possess a music of its own. It is evidently evolved amid the intense play of melodies which are as much a part of the individual mind itself, as the harmonies of nature are a part of nature. Like Shakspeare, Tennyson is especially fond of, or rather haunted by musical refrains, and airs that are not invented but struck out; that can not be conceived by any labor of thought, but are inspired; and that once communicated to the atmosphere, will go chiming on forever.
"Motions flow
To one another, even as though
They were modulated so
To an unheard melody,
Which lives about them, and a sweep
Of richest pauses evermore
Drawn from each other, mellow—deep."
Of these refrains, Oriana, and the Lady of Shalott, present striking examples.
"When Norland winds pipe down the sea,