SOFTLY, pretty baby, sleeping, Bayushki-bayu, Quiet moon bright watch is keeping On your crib for you. I shall tell you tales past number, Sing you ditties too. Close your tender eyes in slumber, Bayushki-bayu. Terek on his stones is fretting With a troubled roar; Wild Chechen, his dagger whetting, Crawls along the shore. But your father knows war's riot, Knows what he must do. Sleep, my darling, sleep in quiet, Bayushki-bayu. You will learn -- the time is nearing -- All a soldier's ways; Foot in stirrup, never fearing, Rifle you will raise. Silk for battle I shall deftly On your saddle sew; Sleep, my own sweet child, sleep softly, Bayushki-bayu. You will show a fighter's mettle, Cossack to the heart; I shall see you ride to battle, Wave your hand and start, All that night in secret weeping My sad tears shall flow. Soft, my angel, sweetly sleeping, Bayushki-bayu. I shall find that life is dreary; Comfortless I'll wait, Daily pray till I am weary, Nightly guess your fate, Dream of you in countries going That are naught to you. Sleep, my darling, care not knowing, Bayushki-bayu. I shall give to you a holy Picture for your way. Think of God with it, and lowly Kneel to Him and pray. Keep, when for war's danger arming, My remembrance true. Sleep, my little baby charming, Bayushki-bayu. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TENEBRIS by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE TO JOHN KEATS; SONNET by AMY LOWELL EXPECTATION by GLADYS BRIERLY ASHOUR IN FESTUBERT by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN AWAKENING by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE LOVE SONNET by GEORGE HENRY BOKER |