A Lullaby

Sleep, child, lie quiet, let be:
Now like a still wind, a great tree
Night upon this city moves
Like leaves, our hungers and our loves

Sleep

Sleep, rest easy, while you may
Soon it is day
And elsewhere likewise love is stirred:
Elsewhere the speechless song is heard:
Wherever children sleep or wake
Souls are lifted, hearts break

Sleep

Sleep, be careless while you can
Soon you are man

And everywhere good men contrive
Good reasons not to be alive
And even should they build their best
No man could bear tell you the rest

Sleep

Sleep child, for your parents' sake
Soon you must wake
Soon you must wake