Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


RIZPAH'S LULLABY by ANONYMOUS

First Line: "SLEEP, SLEEP, - THE SOUTH WIND BLOWS"
Last Line: "LULLABY, BABY--SLEEP--SLEEP!"

Sleep, sleep,--the south wind blows,
Rocking the bee in the thornless rose,
The baby birds have gone to bed--
The drowsy bluebell hangs her head--
Bluebell and baby--bee and rose.

Sleep--the south wind softly blows;
The tide ebbs--the tide flows--
Night comes--night goes;
While the stars their still watch keep--
Lullaby, baby--sleep-sleep!

Hush, hush, thy restless cries;
Close the drowsy, bluebell eyes;
On thy mother's love-warm breast
Fold thy hidden wings and rest;
Till the blossom-eyes unclose--

Sleep; the south wind softly blows;
In the mother-heart, my rose,
Love comes, but never goes--
Mother-love has tides so deep!
Lullaby, baby--sleep--sleep!



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