THE MOTHER'S SONG
Come, O Sleep, from Chio's isle,
Take my little one awhile.—Greek Folk-Song.
COME hither, Sleep, from Chio's isle!My wakeful babe canst thou beguile?Let rose of dawn be on the cheek,On sweet lips parted as to speak,But bring a twilight o'er these eyesAs bright and blue as summer skies.Then swing the cradle to and froTill all the wingëd shadows go;Like drowsy flower my baby swayUntil my daughter hails the day.Come hither, Sleep, from Chio's isle!Take thou my little one awhile,And twine soft fabric of the nightO'er merry eyes that glance too bright;Make silent thou the laughter sound,But leave the smile, and dimple round,And rock my baby on thy breastLike wee bird swaying in the nest;At morning bring her fresh as day,Then on a sunbeam fly away.
COME hither, Sleep, from Chio's isle!My wakeful babe canst thou beguile?Let rose of dawn be on the cheek,On sweet lips parted as to speak,But bring a twilight o'er these eyesAs bright and blue as summer skies.Then swing the cradle to and froTill all the wingëd shadows go;Like drowsy flower my baby swayUntil my daughter hails the day.Come hither, Sleep, from Chio's isle!Take thou my little one awhile,And twine soft fabric of the nightO'er merry eyes that glance too bright;Make silent thou the laughter sound,But leave the smile, and dimple round,And rock my baby on thy breastLike wee bird swaying in the nest;At morning bring her fresh as day,Then on a sunbeam fly away.
COME hither, Sleep, from Chio's isle!My wakeful babe canst thou beguile?Let rose of dawn be on the cheek,On sweet lips parted as to speak,But bring a twilight o'er these eyesAs bright and blue as summer skies.Then swing the cradle to and froTill all the wingëd shadows go;Like drowsy flower my baby swayUntil my daughter hails the day.
COME hither, Sleep, from Chio's isle!
My wakeful babe canst thou beguile?
Let rose of dawn be on the cheek,
On sweet lips parted as to speak,
But bring a twilight o'er these eyes
As bright and blue as summer skies.
Then swing the cradle to and fro
Till all the wingëd shadows go;
Like drowsy flower my baby sway
Until my daughter hails the day.
Come hither, Sleep, from Chio's isle!Take thou my little one awhile,And twine soft fabric of the nightO'er merry eyes that glance too bright;Make silent thou the laughter sound,But leave the smile, and dimple round,And rock my baby on thy breastLike wee bird swaying in the nest;At morning bring her fresh as day,Then on a sunbeam fly away.
Come hither, Sleep, from Chio's isle!
Take thou my little one awhile,
And twine soft fabric of the night
O'er merry eyes that glance too bright;
Make silent thou the laughter sound,
But leave the smile, and dimple round,
And rock my baby on thy breast
Like wee bird swaying in the nest;
At morning bring her fresh as day,
Then on a sunbeam fly away.