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Cradle SongJosephine Preston PeabodyILord Gabriel, wilt thou not rejoice When at last a little boy’s Cheek lies heavy as a rose And his eyelids close?Gabriel, when that hush may be, This sweet hand all heedfully I’ll undo for thee alone, From his mother’s own.Then the far blue highway paven With the burning stars of heaven, He shall gladden with the sweet Hasting of his feet: —Feet so brightly bare and cool, Leaping, as from pool to pool; From a little laughing boy Splashing rainbow joy!Gabriel, wilt thou understand How to keep this hovering hand? — Never shut, as in a bond, From the bright beyond? —Nay, but though it cling and close Tightly as a climbing rose, Clasp it only so, — aright, Lest his heart take fright. (Dormi, dormi, tu. The dusk is hung with blue.)IILord Michael, wilt not thou rejoice When at last a little boy’s Heart, a shut-in murmuring bee, Turns him unto thee?Wilt thou heed thine armor well, — To take his hand from Gabriel, So his radiant cup of dream May not spill a gleam?He will take thy heart in thrall, Telling o’er thy breastplate, all Colors, in his bubbling speech, With his hand to each. (Dormi, dormi, tu. Sapphire is the blue, Pearl and beryl, they are called, Crysoprase and emerald, Sard and amethyst Numbered so, and kissed.)Ah, but find some angel-word For thy sharp, subduing sword! Yea, Lord Michael, make no doubt He will find it out: (Dormi, dormi, tu! His eyes will look at you.)IIILast, a little morning space, Lead him to that leafy place Where Our Lady sits awake, For all mothers’ sake.Bosomed with the Blessèd One, He shall mind her of her Son, Once so folded from all harms In her shrining arms. (In her veil of blue, Dormi, dormi, tu.) So; — and fare thee well. Softly, — Gabriel … When the first faint red shall come, Bid the Day-star lead him home, For the bright world’s sake, To my heart, awake.

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William Vaughn Moody: An Ode in Time of Hesitation

  • William Vaughn Moody: An Ode in Time of Hesitation

TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.

Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?

The Twelve Dancing Princesses

Current Events This Week: January 2023

African Americans by the Numbers

Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents

The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales

TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.

Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?

The Twelve Dancing Princesses

Current Events This Week: January 2023

African Americans by the Numbers

Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents

The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales

  • Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
  • The Twelve Dancing Princesses
  • Current Events This Week: January 2023
  • African Americans by the Numbers
  • Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
  • The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales