Sleep, my boy, the night is treading On its tiptoes still: Gold the twinkling stars are shedding Over vale and hill. Golden stars the sky bejewel, And they spark and glow; Sleep before you know how cruel Is our life below. Sleep, my boy, the moon is swimming In a silver stream; Dozing lakes with crystal brimming Dream a golden dream. Gold and silver we may borrow From the skies o'erhead; Care awakens with the morrow, Care for daily bread. Sleep, my boy, the birds are trilling From each tree and nest; "Night is sacred, night is filling Wood and vale with rest." Leaf and blade by breezes shaken Softly whisper bliss; Sleep, my boy, before you waken Calm on earth to miss. Sleep, my boy, and dream of heaven, Dream of joy and mirth; Heaven's dreams to us are given To forget the earth. Sleep, my boy, for clouds may gather Heaven's charm to mar; Up in heaven is your father Shining as a star. Sleep, my boy, the angels mind you In your tiny bed; Earth is wide. but who will find you Room to rest your head? Sleep, the night is softly treading, Kindling lakes and streams; Gold the twinkling stars are shedding, Gold--in dreams, in dreams. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MAN TO BE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TO SAMUEL COLERIDGE UPON HEARING HIS 'SOME I FEEL LIKE A MOTHERLESS..' by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE RIVALS by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON MATER AMABILIS by EMMA LAZARUS TWENTY-FOUR HOKKU ON A MODERN THEME by AMY LOWELL SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: THE VILLAGE ATHEIST by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |