Sleeping and Watching

Sleep on, baby, on the floor,

      Tired of all the playing,—

Sleep with smile the sweeter for

      That, you dropped away in!

On your curls' full roundness, stand

      Golden lights serenely—

One cheek, pushed out by the hand

      Folds the dimple inly:

Little head and little foot

      Heavy laid for pleasure,

Underneath the lids half-shut,

      Slants the shining azure;—

Open-souled in noonday sun,

      So, you lie and slumber!

Nothing evil, having done,

      Nothing can encumber.

I, who cannot sleep as well,

      Shall I sigh to view you?

Or sigh further to foretell

      All that may undo you?

Nay, keep smiling, little child,

      Ere the sorrow neareth,—

I will smile too! Patience mild

      Pleasure's token weareth.

"Nay, keep sleeping, before loss;

      I shall sleep though losing!

As by cradle, so by cross,

      Sure is the reposing.

And God knows, who sees us twain,

      Child at childish leisure,

I am near as tired of pain

      As you seem of pleasure;—

Very soon too, by His grace

      Gently wrapt around me,

Shall I show as calm a face,

      Shall I sleep as soundly!

Differing in this that you

      Clasp your playthings sleeping,

While my hand shall drop the few

      Given to my keeping;

Differing in this, that I

      Sleeping, shall be colder,

And in waking presently,

      Brighter to beholder!

Differing in this beside

      (Sleeper, have you heard me?

Do you move, and open wide

      Eyes of wonder toward me?)—

That while I, you, draw withal

      From your slumber, solely,—

Me, from mine, an angel shall,

      With reveillie holy!