Page:Poems Blake.djvu/151

SLEEPING.

The violet eyes lie shaded deep
 Beneath the white lids closing;
The cheeks flushed faint with rosy sleep,
 The dimpled hands reposing;
The sweet red lips held half apart,
 Smiles coming and retreating;
God bless and keep the little heart
 Within the white breast beating,
        As baby sleeps.

The tiny, restless, busy feet
 Lie still in cradle nesting;
The clinging arms fall white and sweet
 Upon the pillow resting;
Close out the burst of noise and glare,
 Harsh sound, and harsher seeming,
And let the soft, sweet summer air
 Float gently through his dreaming,
        As baby sleeps.

And life and time go hurrying on,
 Their varied meshes weaving;