A Cradle Song

Sweet dreams, form a shade
O'er my lovely infant's head
Sweet dreams of pleasant streams
By happy, silent, moony beams

Sweet Sleep, with soft down
Weave thy brows an infant crown;
Sweet Sleep, angel mild
Hover o'er my happy child

Sweet smiles, in the night
Hover over my delight
Sweet smiles, mother's smiles
All the livelong night beguiles

Sweet moans, dovelike sighs
Chase not slumber from thy eyes!
Sweet moans, sweeter smiles
All the dovelike moans beguiles

Sleep, sleep, happy child:
All creation slept and smiled
Sleep, sleep, happy sleep
While o'er thee thy mother weep

Sweet babe, in thy face
Holy image I can trace;
Sweet babe, once like thee
Thy maker lay and wept for me

Wept for me, for thee, for all
When he was an infant small
Thou his image ever see
Heavenly face that smiles on thee --

Smiles on thee, on me, on all
Who became an infant small
Infant smiles are his own smiles;
Heaven and earth to peace beguiles