I + 

By the Cradle + 

Close her eyes: she must not peep! + 

Let her little puds go slack; + 

Slide away far into sleep: + 

Sis will watch till she comes back! + 

Mother’s knitting at the door, + 

Waiting till the kettle sings; + 

When the kettle’s song is o’er + 

She will set the bright tea-things. + 

Father’s busy making hay + 

In the meadow by the brook, + 

Not so very far away⁠— + 

Close its peeps, it needn’t look! + 

God is round us everywhere⁠— + 

Sees the scythe glitter and rip; + 

Watches baby gone somewhere; + 

Sees how mother’s fingers skip! + 

Sleep, dear baby; sleep outright: + 

Mother’s sitting just behind: + 

Father’s only out of sight; + 

God is round us like the wind. + 