A Lover's Lullaby

By George Gascoigne

1525?-1577


SING lullaby, as women do,
         Wherewith they bring their babes to rest;
And lullaby can I sing too,
         As womanly as can the best.
With lullaby they still the child;
And if I be not much beguiled,
Full many a wanton babe have I,
Which must be still'd with lullaby.

First lullaby my youthful years,
         It is now time to go to bed:
For crooked age and hoary hairs
         Have won the haven within my head.
With lullaby, then, youth be still;
With lullaby content thy will;
Since courage quails and comes behind,
Go sleep, and so beguile thy mind!

Next lullaby my gazing eyes,
         Which wonted were to glance apace;
For every glass may now suffice
         To show the furrows in thy face.
With lullaby then wink awhile;
With lullaby your looks beguile;
Let no fair face, nor beauty bright,
Entice you eft with vain delight.

And lullaby my wanton will;
         Let reason's rule now reign thy thought;
Since all too late I find by skill
         How dear I have thy fancies bought;
With lullaby now take thine ease,
With lullaby thy doubts appease;
For trust to this, if thou be still,
My body shall obey thy will.

Thus lullaby my youth, mine eyes,
         My will, my ware, and all that was:
I can no more delays devise;
         But welcome pain, let pleasure pass.
With lullaby now take your leave;
With lullaby your dreams deceive;
And when you rise with waking eye,
Remember then this lullaby.

DayPoems Poem No. 50
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/50.html">A Lover's Lullaby by George Gascoigne</a>

The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor

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