Sleep on, baby, on the floor, Tired of all the playing; Sleep with smile the sweeter for That, you dropped away in. On your curls' full roundness stand Golden lights serenely; One cheek, pushed out by the hand, Folds the dimple inly; Little head and little foot Heavy laid for pleasure, Underneath the lids half shut Slants the shining azure. Open-soul in noonday sun, So you lie and slumber; Nothing evil having done, Nothing can encumber. II I, who cannot sleep as well, Shall I sigh to view you? Or sigh further to foretell All that may undo you? Nay, keep smiling, little child, Ere the sorrow neareth; I will smile, too! patience mild Pleasure's token weareth. Nay, keep sleeping before loss: I shall sleep though losing! As by cradle, so by cross, Sure is the reposing. III And God knows who sees us twain, Child at childish leisure, I am near as tired of pain As you seem of pleasure. Very soon, too, by His grace Gently wrapt around me, Shall I show as calm a face, Shall I sleep as soundly. Differing in this, that you Clasp your playthings, sleeping, While my hand shall drop the few Given to my keeping; Differing in this, that I Sleeping shall be colder, And in waking presently, Brighter to beholder: Differing in this beside-- (Sleeper, have you heard me? Do you move, and open wide Eyes of wonder toward me?)-- That while you I thus recall From your sleep, I solely, Me from mine an angel shall, With reveille holy. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A SERVANT TO SERVANTS by ROBERT FROST LOVE AND A QUESTION by ROBERT FROST TACKING SHIP OFF SHORE by WALTER MITCHELL FOR SPRING, BY SANDRO BOTTICELLI by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI THE PRAIRIE-GRASS DIVIDING by WALT WHITMAN GRECIAN KINDNESS: A SONG by JOHN WILMOT PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 62. AL-MUMIT by EDWIN ARNOLD |