Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, GREEK FOLK LULLABY, by ANONYMOUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

GREEK FOLK LULLABY, by                    
First Line: "o sleep, who takest little ones"
Last Line: Ye dreams! Assist my song
Subject(s): Sleep


O Sleep, who takest little ones,
Take to thee my darling;
A tiny one I give him now,
A big boy bring him to me,
As tall as any mountain grown
And straight as lofty cypress;
His branches let him spread about,
From the West to Anatolia.

Dreams! cheer the child with sights of joy,
While thus his mother sings!
Three guardians swore to shield my boy
With soft and brilliant wings.

Upon the mountain heights, the Sun,
The Eagle on the plain,
The Breeze, which blows when day is done,
Upon the mighty main!

The Sun has sought his briny bed,
The Bird his eyrie's height,
And Boreas lays his dewy head
Upon the lap of Night.

"Welcome!" she cries, "my son! at last!
Thou art not come too soon;
Hast thou been fighting, noisy blast,
Against the stars or moon?"

"Neither with moon nor stars I fought,
Allies and friends so long!
I watch'd the cradle as I ought."
Ye Dreams! assist my song!





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