Sleep, sleep, happy one; Thy night is but just begun. Sleep in peace; still angels keep Holy watches o'er thy sleep. Softest breasts are pillowing, Softest wings are shadowing Thy calm slumber; little child, Sleep in thy white robes undefiled. There is no more aching now In thy heart or in thy brow. The red blood upon thy breast Cannot scare away thy rest. Though thy hands are clasped as when A man thou prayedst among men, Thy pains are lulled, thy tears are dried, And thy wants are satisfied. Sleep, sleep; what quietness After the world's noise is this! Sleep on, where the hush and shade Like a veil are round thee laid. At thy head a cross is hewn Whereon shines the Advent moon: Through all the hours of the night Its shadow rests on thee aright. In temptation thou wert firm; Now have patience with the worm. Yet a little while, and he And death and sin shall bow to thee. Yet a little while, and thou Shalt have a crown upon thy brow, And a palm branch in thy hand Where the holy angels stand. Sleep, sleep, till the chime Sound of the last matin prime: Sleep on until the morn Of another Advent dawn. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SLUG IN WOODS by EARL (EARLE) BIRNEY THE GOLD-SEEKERS by HAMLIN GARLAND EPIGRAM: 118. ON GUT by BEN JONSON THE DAY IS DONE by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW CUBA LIBRA [APRIL, 1896] by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER |