Classic Poem

I

L ord 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,
— From his mother's own.

Then the far blue highways paven
With the burning stars of heaven,
— He shall gladden with the sweet
— Hasting of his feet —

Feet so brightly bare and cool,
Leaping, as from pool to pool;
— From a little laughing boy
— Splashing rainbow joy!

Gabriel, wilt thou understand
How to keep his hovering hand —
— Never shut, as in a bond,
— From the bright beyond? —

Nay, but though it cling and close
Tightly as a climbing rose,
— Clasp it only so — aright,
— Lest his heart take fright.

(Dormi, dormi tu:
The dusk is hung with blue.)

II

Lord Michael, wilt not thou rejoice
When at last a little boy's
— Heart, a shut-in murmuring bee,
— Turns him unto thee?

Wilt thou heed thine armor well —
To take his hand from Gabriel,
— So his radiant cup of dream
— May not spill a gleam?

He will take thy heart in thrall,
Telling o'er thy breastplate, all
— Colors, in his bubbling speech,
— With his hand to each.

(Dormi, dormi tu.
Sapphire is the blue:
Pearl and beryl, they are called,
Chrysoprase and emerald,
Sard and amethyst.
Numbered so, and kissed.)

Ah, but find some angel word
For thy sharp, subduing sword!
— Yea, Lord Michael, make no doubt
— He will find it out:

(Dormi, dormi tu!
His eyes will look at you.)

III

Last, a little morning space,
Lead him to that leafy place
— Where Our Lady sits awake,
— For all mothers' sake.

Bosomed with the Blessed One,
He shall mind her of her Son,
— Once so folded from all harms,
— In her shrining arms.

(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.