A DIRGE
Reading edition
Mortal child, lay thee where Earth is gift and giver; Midnight owl, witch, or bear Shall disturb thee never! Softly, softly take thy place, Turn from man thy waning face; Fear not thou must lie alone, Sleep-mates thou shalt have anon. (Clock of Time none commands, Driveth not the winter floods, Where the silent, tireless sands Run the ages of the gods.) Thine is not a jealous bed; Pillow here hath every head; All that are and all to be Shall ask a little room of thee. (Feet of flame, haste nor creep Where the stars are of thy pace; Heart of fire, in shadows sleep, With the sun in thy embrace.) Babe of Time, old in care, Sweet is Earth, the giver; Owlet, witch, or midnight bear Shall disturb thee never.