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SLEEP, SLEEP HAPPY CHILD.' - BLAKE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Sleep, sleep, happy one
Last Line: Of another advent dawn
Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina
Subject(s): Death – Children; Peace; Heaven


Sleep, sleep, happy one;
Thy night is but just begun.
Sleep in peace; still angels keep
Holy watches o'er thy sleep.

Softest breasts are pillowing,
Softest wings are shadowing
Thy calm slumber; little child,
Sleep in thy white robes undefiled.

There is no more aching now
In thy heart or in thy brow.
The red blood upon thy breast
Cannot scare away thy rest.

Though thy hands are clasped as when
A man thou prayedst among men,
Thy pains are lulled, thy tears are dried,
And thy wants are satisfied.

Sleep, sleep; what quietness
After the world's noise is this!
Sleep on, where the hush and shade
Like a veil are round thee laid.

At thy head a cross is hewn
Whereon shines the Advent moon:
Through all the hours of the night
Its shadow rests on thee aright.

In temptation thou wert firm;
Now have patience with the worm.
Yet a little while, and he
And death and sin shall bow to thee.

Yet a little while, and thou
Shalt have a crown upon thy brow,
And a palm branch in thy hand
Where the holy angels stand.

Sleep, sleep, till the chime
Sound of the last matin prime:
Sleep on until the morn
Of another Advent dawn.





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