Suppose I put my baby to sleep In a nest in a tree-top high, Where the wind would blow it to and fro And sing this lullaby: Rest, rest, babe in a nest! Little white bird in a tree! The old tree shall keep a watch o'er thy sleep, The little leaves guard over thee; And one little leaf lays its palm on thy brow-- Soft, cool little leaf-- Go to sleep, baby--now! now! soon ceaseth thy grief. "Sh! Sh! Sh!" say the leaves--that is their lullaby; But old tree-mother and green little leaves, My baby still would cry. Suppose I put my baby to sleep In a tiny boat on the sea, Where the waters would move it softly with love, And sing this melody: Waft, waft, wee little craft, Afloat on the silver sea! Rock on the deep, white little one! Sleep! Canst trust thyself with me. For each little wave holds a star in its hands, To frighten away the dark; And a far-off wind brings a song from the lands,-- Hear little baby! Hark! "Sh! Sh! Sh!" breathe the waves--that is their lullaby; But kind sea-mother and gray little waves, My baby still would cry. Suppose I put my baby to sleep Upon her pillow white, Where I can watch the golden head Gleam through the lonely night; Not near enough! Not close enough! I strain her to my breast. Now Rosy-lips! Now Finger-tips! Now Weary-lids we rest! Thou and mother the whole night through; All night mother and thou; At last my hungry arms are filled; Thy homesick cry at last is stilled; We both can sleep--sleep now! With a smile on my lips for thy little hands, And a prayer in my heart that understands, For "Hush! oh hush!" says a voice in the sky, And we--we do not cry. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CONTRA MORTEM: THE WOMAN by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE INCORRIGIBLE DIRIGIBLE by HAYDEN CARRUTH SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: IPPOLIT KONOVALOFF by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SONG OF THE OPEN COUNTRY by DOROTHY PARKER |