Poems (Jordan)/Cradle Song

For works with similar titles, see Cradle Song.

CRADLE SONG
Oh, come, baby mine, thy bed is the bridge
Stretching over the hours 'tween Night and Day;
Thou'lt find in the midst of thy pilgrimage
The land where the sleep-children live and play!

Dost hear the clock strike? It is time to start;
Shut the lip-gates tight, little baby, dear;
Come, lay thy head close unto mother's heart,
And thou shalt the fairy-steed's hoof beats hear.

Look, baby eyes, through a dream-shaped door,
See friendly hands eagerly beck'ning on;—
Go join in the race, dear, for yonder shore,
And we'll see who is first to reach the Dawn!