Classic Poem

IV.

A SERENADE .

" Lullaby, oh, lullaby! "
Thus I heard a father cry,
" Lullaby, oh, lullaby!
The brat will never shut an eye;
Hither come, some power divine!
Close his lids, or open mine! "

" Lullaby, oh, lullaby!
What the devil makes him cry?
Lullaby, oh, lullaby!
Still he stares — I wonder why,
Why are not the sons of earth
Blind, like puppies, from the birth? "

" Lullaby, oh, lullaby! "
Thus I heard the father cry;
" Lullaby, oh, lullaby!
Mary, you must come and try! —
Hush, oh, hush, for mercy's sake —
The more I sing, the more you wake! "

" Lullaby, oh, lullaby!
Fie, you little creature, fie!
Lullaby, oh, lullaby!
Is no poppy-syrup nigh?
Give him some, or give him all,
I am nodding to his fall! "

" Lullaby, oh, lullaby!
Two such nights, and I shall die!
Lullaby, oh, lullaby!
He'll be bruised, and so shall I, —
How can I from bedposts keep,
When I'm walking in my sleep? "

" Lullaby, oh, lullaby!
Sleep his very looks deny —
Lullaby, oh, lullaby;
Nature soon will stupefy —
My nerves relax, — my eyes grow dim —
Who's that fallen — me or him? "