by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806 - 1861)

Language: English 
How he sleepeth!  ... 

        Vision unto vision calleth,
            While the young child dreameth on.
        Fair, O dreamer, thee befalleth
            With the glory thou hast won!
Darker wert thou in the garden, yestermorn, by summer sun.

        We should see the spirits rising
            Round thee, -- were the clouds away.
        'Tis the child-heart draws them, singing
            In the silent-seeming clay --
Singing! -- Stars that seem the mutest, go in music all the way.

       ... 

        Softly, softly! make no noises!
            Now he lieth still and dumb --
        Now he hears the angels' voices
            Folding silence in the room --
Now he muses deep the meaning of the Heaven-words as they come.

 ... 

        He is harmless -- we are sinful, --
            we are troubled -- he, at ease:
        From his slumber, virtue winful
            Floweth outward with increase --
Dare not bless him! but be blessed by his peace -- and go in peace.

Composition:

    Set to music by Edward Elgar, Sir (1857 - 1934), "A child asleep", published 1910 [ voice, piano ]

Text Authorship:

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 60
Word count: 413