A SERENADE.[1]

"Lullaby, oh, lullaby!" Thus I heard a father cry. "Lullaby, oh, lullaby! The brat will never shut an eye; Hither come, some power divine! Close his lids or open mine! "Lullaby, oh, lullaby! What the mischief makes him cry? Lullaby, oh, lullaby! Still he stares—I wonder why; Why are not the sons of earth Blind, like puppies, from their birth? "Lullaby, oh, lullaby!" Thus I heard the father cry; "Lullaby, oh, lullaby! Mary, you must come and try! Hush, oh, hush, for mercy's sake— The more I sing, the more you wake! "Lullaby, oh, lullaby! Fie, you little creature, fie! Lullaby, oh, lullaby! Is no poppy-syrup nigh? Give him some, or give him all, I am nodding to his fall! "Lullaby, oh, lullaby! Two such nights and I shall die! Lullaby, oh, lullaby! He'll be bruised, and so shall I— How can I from bedposts keep, When I'm walking in my sleep? "Lullaby, oh, lullaby! Sleep his very looks deny; Lullaby, oh, lullaby! Nature soon will stupefy— My nerves relax—my eyes grow dim— Who's that fallen, me or him?"