Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE VIRGIN'S LULLABY (PIEDMONTESE) by ANONYMOUS

First Line: "SLEEP, OH SLEEP, DEAR BABY MINE"
Last Line: "SLEEP MY CHILD, AND LULLABY"
Subject(s): JESUS CHRIST - CHILDHOOD & YOUTH;MARY. MOTHER OF JESUS;WOMEN - BIBLE; VIRGIN MARY;
Sleep, oh sleep, dear Baby mine,
King Divine;
Sleep, my Child, in sleep recline;
Lullaby, mine Infant fair,
Heaven's King
All glittering,
Full of grace as lilies rare.

Close Thine eyelids, O my Treasure,
Loved past measure,
Of my soul, the Lord, the pleasure;
Lullaby, O regal Child,
On the hay
My joy I lay;
Love celestial, meek and mild.

Why dost weep, my Babe? alas!
Cold winds that pass
Vex, or is't the little ass?
Lullaby, O Paradise;
Of my heart
Though Saviour art;
On Thy face I press a kiss.

Wouldst Thou learn so speedily,
Pain to try,
To heave a sigh?
Sleep, for Thou shalt see the day
Of dire scath,
Of dreadful death,
To bitter scorn and shame a prey.

Rays now round Thy brow extend,
But in the end
A crown of cruel thorns shall bend.
Lullaby, O little one,
Gentle guest
Who for Thy rest
A manger hast, to lie upon.

Born in winter of the year,
Jesu dear,
As the lost world's prisoner.
Lullaby (for Thou art bound
Pain to know,
And want and woe),
Mid the cattle standing round.

Beauty mine, sleep peacefully;
Heaven's monarch! see,
With my veil I cover Thee.
Lullaby, my Spouse, my Lord,
Fairest Child,
Pure, undefiled,
Thou by all my soul adored.

Lo! the shepherd band draws nigh;
Horns they ply
Thee their Lord to glorify.
Lullaby, my soul's delight,
For Israel,
Faithless and fell,
Thee with cruel death would smite.

Now the milk suck from my breast,
Holiest, best,
Thy kind eyes thou openest.
Lullaby, the while I sing;
Holy Jesu
Now sleep anew
My mantle is Thy sheltering.

Sleep, sleep, Thou who dost heaven impart
My Lord Thou art;
Sleep, as I press Thee to my heart.
Poor the place where Thou dost lie,
Earth's loveliest!
Yet take Thy rest;
Sleep my Child, and lullaby.



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