English poem
Cradle-Song
by Adelaide Crapsey (1878–1914)
Madonna, Madonna, Sat by the grey road-side, Saint Joseph her beside, And Our Lord at her breast; Oh they were fain to rest, Mary and Joseph and Jesus, All by the grey road-side.
She said, Madonna Mary, "I am hungry, Joseph, and weary, All in the desert wide." Then bent a tall palm-tree Its branches low to her knee; "Behold," the palm-tree said, "My fruit that shall be your bread." So were they satisfied, Mary and Joseph and Jesus, All by the grey road-side.
From Herod they were fled Over the desert wide, Mary and Joseph and Jesus, In Egypt to abide: Mary and Joseph and Jesus, In Egypt to abide.
The blessèd Queen of Heaven Her own dear Son hath given For my son's sake; his sleep Is safe and sweet and deep.
Lully . . . Lulley. . . . So may you sleep alway, My baby, my dear son: Amen, Amen, Amen.
My baby, my dear son.
TO MAN WHO GOES SEEKING IMMORTALITY, BIDDING HIM LOOK NEARER HOME
Too far afield thy search. Nay, turn. Nay, turn. At thine own elbow potent Memory stands, Thy double, and eternity is cupped In the pale hollow of those ghostly hands.