Classic Poem

Sleep on, my baby, sleep in peace, while day to dusk is turning,
And o'er the sunset's rosy calm one great white star is burning.
Their glooms against pale deeps of sky bold castle-walls are showing,
And through the shadowy valleyland the lovely Rhine is flowing.

Oh, all the sweet babes in the bourg for soft repose are weary;
The sunshine only brings them joy, but night is grim and eerie;
And, oh, I know that all night long, where reeds and sedges quiver,
The deadly Lorelei combs her hair beside the starlit river.

'Tis well through day for babes to play where sunbeams fling their lustre
Amid the arbor's yellowing leaves, and light the purple cluster.
But, oh, I know, when suns are low and stealthy darkness follows,
With fiery eyes and streaming locks the mad gnome haunts the hollows.

Oh, fair the river winds by day past towers and mossgrown churches,
Past hamlets whence the fisher sails to draw the net he searches;
But there like phantoms float all night, while shrill the owl rejoices,
Enchantresses in plumes of swans, that sing with angels' voices.

Sleep, baby, sleep; while mother-love your rest is warmly screening,
Above your cradle, meek and pure, our Lady's brows are leaning.
And, oh, I know that by her will some beauteous dream has found you,
Some dream from heaven that stoops and wraps its winsome wings around you!