Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


WHEN BABY WOKE by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHEN WEENTY - TEENTY BABY WOKE
Last Line: WHEN BABY WOKE, -- WHEN BABY WOKE.
Subject(s): BABIES; DREAMS; SLEEP; TEARS; INFANTS; NIGHTMARES;

WHEN weenty-teenty Baby woke,
It seemed all summer blossoms broke
In fragrant laughter -- that the birds,
Instead of warbles, sang in words! --
Oh, it did seem to us (who, in
Our rapture, dappled cheek and chin
With our warm kisses) to invoke
Our love to break as morning broke! --
When wondrous Baby woke.

When our enraptured Baby woke, --
As when on violets sink and soak
The dewdrops of some glorious dawn, --
So seemed the eyes we gazed upon;
And when they smiled, we, bending lower,
Knew never sunlight any more
Would be as bright to us -- and thus
Forever must they shine for us!
When Baby dewed her eyes and woke.
When Baby danced her eyes and woke --
The hearts within us, stroke on stroke,
Went throbbing like the pulse of some
High harmony harp-strings might thrum
In halls enchanted of the lore
Or Arthur's court in days of yore, --
To us she was "a princess fair" --
An "Elfin Queen" -- "A ladye rare" --
And we but simple-minded folk --
When Baby woke, -- when Baby woke.



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