Cradle (Songmo'l As if his head were as full of kinks Warped by colic, and wet by tears, Where the summers go;— He need not laugh, for he'll find it so! 7 Who can tell what a baby thinks? By which the mannikin feels his way Out from the shore of the great unknown, Into the light of day?—. Out from the shore of the unknown sea, Of the unknown sea that reels and rolls, Cup of his life, and couch of his rest? What does he think when her quick embrace Presses his hand and buries his face Deep where the heart-throbs sink and swell With a tenderness she can never tell, Though she murmur the words. Of all the birds, Words she has learned to murmur well? I can see the shadow creep Over his eyes, in soft eclipse, I 887 I'VE found my bonny babe a nest I'll rock you there to rosy rest, Oh, lulla lo! sing all the leaves Till everything that hurts or grieves I've put my pretty child to float, Within the new moon's silver boat On Slumber Sea. And when your starry sail is o'er My precious one, you'll step to shore On Mother's knee. Alfred Perceval Graves (1846 CRADLE SONG I LORD Gabriel, wilt thou not rejoice When at last a little boy's Cheek lies heavy as a rose, And his eyelids close? Gabriel, when that hush may be, This sweet hand all heedfully I'll undo, for thee alone, Cradle Song Then the far blue highways paven Feet so brightly bare and cool, Gabriel, wilt thou understand Nay, but though it cling and close (Dormi, dormi, tu: The dusk is hung with blue.) II Lord Michael, wilt not thou rejoice Heart, a shut-in murmuring bee, Wilt thou heed thine armor well- He will take thy heart in thrall, Colors, in his bubbling speech, (Dormi, dormi, tu. Sapphire is the blue:.. Pearl and beryl, they are called, ITO 89 Sard and amethyst. Ah, but find some angel word (Dormi, dormi, tu! His eyes will look at you.) III Last, a little morning space, Bosomed with the Blessèd One, (In her veil of blue, Dormi, dormi, tu.) So-and fare thee well. Softly,-Gabriel .. When the first faint red shall come, Bid the Day-star lead him home, For the bright world's sake To my heart, awake. Josephine Preston Peabody [1874 MOTHER-SONG FROM "PRINCE LUCIFER" WHITE little hands! Pink little feet! Dimpled all over, Sweet, sweet, sweet! What dost thou wail for? The unknown? the unseen? The ills that are coming, The joys that have been? 'SKEETERS am a hummin' on de honeysuckle vine,— Sandman am a comin' to dis little coon of mine,- Silv'ry moon am shinin' in de heabens up above, Bobolink am pinin' fo' his little lady love: (') Babe of old Kentucky,― Close yo' eyes in sleep. Fly away, Fly away, Kentucky Babe, fly away to rest, Fly away, a Lay yo' kinky, woolly head on yo' mammy's breast,— Daddy's in de cane-brake wid his little dog and gun,— Sleep, Kentucky Babe! 'Possum fo' yo' breakfast when yo' sleepin' time is done,— Sleep, Kentucky Babe! |