what's in a.....

I read today that the Crowes had named their new baby Tennyson, an interesting choice to say the least. I'm not fond of surnames masquerading as Christian names, though this one might spark new interest in the Victorian poet. The Crowes cited their mutual love of one of Tennyson's early sonnets as their inspiration, a poem that I studied eons ago in my first undergraduate degree. It's soaked in the kind of twee sentimentality and hand-on-forehead histrionics beloved of the Victorians. But I must admit, that's one of the reasons I love a lot of Tennyson's work. And probably also Thomas Hardy.

So, for the record, here's the sonnet; #10 from memory.

IF I were loved, as I desire to be,
What is there in the great sphere of the earth,
And range of evil between death and birth,
That I should fear,—if I were loved by thee?
All the inner, all the outer world of pain
Clear Love would pierce and cleave, if thou wert mine,
As I have heard that, somewhere in the main,
Fresh-water springs come up through bitter brine.
’Twere joy, not fear, claspt hand-in-hand with thee,
To wait for death—mute—careless of all ills,
Apart upon a mountain, tho’ the surge
Of some new deluge from a thousand hills
Flung leagues of roaring foam into the gorge
Below us, as far on as eye could see.