Page:Poems Barrett.djvu/302

Open-souled in noonday sun,
 So, you lie and slumber!
Nothing evil, having done,
 Nothing can encumber.

I, who cannot sleep as well,
 Shall I sigh to view you?
Or sigh further to foretell
 All that may undo you?
Nay, keep smiling, little child,
 Ere the sorrow neareth,—
I will smile too! Patience mild
 Pleasure's token weareth.
"Nay, keep sleeping, before loss;
 I shall sleep though losing!
As by cradle, so by cross,
 Sure is the reposing.

And God knows, who sees us twain,
 Child at childish leisure,
I am near as tired of pain
 As you seem of pleasure;—
Very soon too, by His grace
 Gently wrapt around me,
Shall I show as calm a face,
 Shall I sleep as soundly!
Differing in this that you
 Clasp your playthings sleeping,
While my hand shall drop the few
 Given to my keeping;

Differing in this, that I
 Sleeping, shall be colder,
And in waking presently,
 Brighter to beholder!
Differing in this beside
 (Sleeper, have you heard me?