Illustration to Tennyson's "Sleeping Beauty" by W. E. F. Britten. Like a lot of Tennyson poems based on a literary source, Tennyson only focuses on a tiny part of the whole. Hence, the poem leaves out all the setup and the conclusion, instead describing what her sleep was like:Year after year unto her feet,She lying on her couch alone,Across the purpled coverlet,The maiden's jet-black hair has grown,On either side her tranced formForth streaming from a braid of pearl:The slumbrous light is rich and warm,And moves not on the rounded curl. The silk star-broider'd coverlidUnto her limbs itself doth mouldLanguidly ever; and, amidHer full black ringlets downward roll'd,Glows forth each softly-shadow'd arm,With bracelets of the diamond bright:Her constant beauty doth informStillness with love, and day with light. She sleeps: her breathings are not heardIn palace chambers far apart.The fragrant tresses are not stirr'dThat lie upon her charmed heart.She sleeps: on either hand upswellsThe gold-fringed pillow lightly prest:She sleeps, nor dreams, but ever dwellsA perfect form in perfect rest.