 | Uncollected verses by Francis Thompson |  |
15
LULLABY
Lullay, lullay, little child, why weepest thou so sorely?
Need is thine of weeping: it was foredoomed thee early
Ever to live in sorrow, in sighing and in mourning
As thine eldren did ere this, that are unreturning.
Lullay, little child; child, lullay, lullow:
To an uncouth world y-comen art thou now.
Need is thine of weeping: it was foredoomed thee early
Ever to live in sorrow, in sighing and in mourning
As thine eldren did ere this, that are unreturning.
Lullay, little child; child, lullay, lullow:
To an uncouth world y-comen art thou now.
Beast and every bird too; the fish that in the flood is;
And each creature living, that made of bone and blood is;
When it cometh to the world, its coming for its good is;
All, but the wretched thing that of Adam's blood is.
Lullay, lullay, little child; to care thy mother bore thee:
Thou know'st not this world is wild, which she has set before thee.
And each creature living, that made of bone and blood is;
When it cometh to the world, its coming for its good is;
All, but the wretched thing that of Adam's blood is.
Lullay, lullay, little child; to care thy mother bore thee:
Thou know'st not this world is wild, which she has set before thee.
Child, if betideth that thou shalt thrive and be,
Think thou wert y-fostered on thy mother's knee.
Ever have mind in thy heart of these things three—
Whence thou comest, where thou art, and what shall come of thee.
Lullay, lullay, little child: child, lullay, lullay:
With sorrow thou camest to this world, with sorrow shalt wend away.
Think thou wert y-fostered on thy mother's knee.
Ever have mind in thy heart of these things three—
Whence thou comest, where thou art, and what shall come of thee.
Lullay, lullay, little child: child, lullay, lullay:
With sorrow thou camest to this world, with sorrow shalt wend away.
| Uncollected verses by Francis Thompson | |