Merry Christmas! I hope everyone reading this has a truly wonderful day.
A Cradle Song
SLEEP, sleep, beauty bright,
Dreaming in the joys of night.
Sleep, sleep; in thy sleep
Little sorrows sit & weep.
Sweet babe, in thy face
Soft desires I can trace
Secret joys & secret smiles
Little pretty infant wiles.
As thy softest limbs I feel
Smiles as of the morning steal
O’er thy cheek & o’er thy breast
Where thy little heart doth rest.
O, the cunning wiles that creep
In thy little heart asleep.
When thy little heart doth wake,
Then the dreadful night shall break.
From thy cheek & from thy eye
O’er the youthful harvest nigh
Infant wiles & infant smiles
Heaven & Earth of peace beguiles.
William Blake (1757 – 1827)
The last time I did this, I knew from the very start what poem I intended to post on Christmas Day. This year it wasn't so easy, but I figure you can't go wrong with William Blake.
Previous Advent posts:
- 2003: Southwell, "A Child My Choice"
- 2004: Webster, The Nativity
- 2005: Merry Christmas
