Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SLEEPING AND WATCHING, by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Sleep on, baby on the floor Last Line: With reveille holy. Variant Title(s): The Child And The Watcher Subject(s): Babies; Sleep; Infants | ||||||||
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-soul in noonday sun, So you lie and slumber; Nothing evil having done, Nothing can encumber. II 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. III 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 you I thus recall From your sleep, I solely, Me from mine an angel shall, With reveille holy. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A POET TO HIS BABY SON by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON BABYHOOD by ELIZABETH AKERS ALLEN INFANCY by EDMUND JOHN ARMSTRONG BALLAD OF THE LAYETTE by WAYNE KOESTENBAUM A TOAST FOR LITTLE IRON MIKE by PAUL MARIANI THE PAMPERING OF LEORA by THYLIAS MOSS ONE FOR ALL NEWBORNS by THYLIAS MOSS IN THE THRIVING SEASON by LISEL MUELLER A CHILD'S THOUGHT OF GOD by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |
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