Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, COSSACK CRADLE-SONG, by MIKHAIL YUREVICH LERMONTOV


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

COSSACK CRADLE-SONG, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Softly, pretty baby, sleeping
Last Line: Bayushki-bayu.
Alternate Author Name(s): Lermontov, Mikhail Yuryevich
Subject(s): Cossacks


SOFTLY, pretty baby, sleeping,
Bayushki-bayu,
Quiet moon bright watch is keeping
On your crib for you.
I shall tell you tales past number,
Sing you ditties too.
Close your tender eyes in slumber,
Bayushki-bayu.

Terek on his stones is fretting
With a troubled roar;
Wild Chechen, his dagger whetting,
Crawls along the shore.
But your father knows war's riot,
Knows what he must do.
Sleep, my darling, sleep in quiet,
Bayushki-bayu.

You will learn -- the time is nearing --
All a soldier's ways;
Foot in stirrup, never fearing,
Rifle you will raise.
Silk for battle I shall deftly
On your saddle sew;
Sleep, my own sweet child, sleep softly,
Bayushki-bayu.

You will show a fighter's mettle,
Cossack to the heart;
I shall see you ride to battle,
Wave your hand and start,
All that night in secret weeping
My sad tears shall flow.
Soft, my angel, sweetly sleeping,
Bayushki-bayu.

I shall find that life is dreary;
Comfortless I'll wait,
Daily pray till I am weary,
Nightly guess your fate,
Dream of you in countries going
That are naught to you.
Sleep, my darling, care not knowing,
Bayushki-bayu.

I shall give to you a holy
Picture for your way.
Think of God with it, and lowly
Kneel to Him and pray.
Keep, when for war's danger arming,
My remembrance true.
Sleep, my little baby charming,
Bayushki-bayu.





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