Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNET TO A SLEEPING CHILD: 2 by THOMAS HOOD

Poet Analysis

First Line: THINE EYELIDS SLEPT SO BEAUTEOUSLY, I DEEMED
Last Line: IF NOT MORE LOVELY, THOU ART MORE LIKE LOVE!
Subject(s): CHILDREN; SLEEP; CHILDHOOD;

THINE eyelids slept so beauteously, I deemed
No eyes could wake so beautiful as they:
Thy rosy cheeks in such still slumbers lay,
I loved their peacefulness, nor ever dreamed
Of dimples, -- for those parted lips so seemed,
I never thought a smile could sweetlier play,
Nor that so graceful life could chase away
Thy graceful death, -- till those blue eyes upbeamed.
Now slumber lies in dimpled eddies drowned,
And roses bloom more rosily for joy,
And odorous silence ripens into sound,
And fingers move to sound. -- All-beauteous boy!
How thou dost waken into smiles, and prove,
If not more lovely, thou art more like Love!



Home: PoetryExplorer.net