Hush


from the ABC set Mithridates and Hypocratia

Hush

"Hush my Lord he sleeps
Joves curls decorate his brow
which day furrows with many cares
the marble carved by a master
rests now on down
where lately the pillows were two of mine
catching breath and warming it

We greeted Hypnos together
dismissed Thanatos his twin
who flew off on a bad tempered echo
a black bats shadow
taking un ease with him like crouching dog

then I rose to guard his dreams
to whisper gently if he stirred
stroke the softness of his cheek
like the sweetest nurse
or country Mother
who does not send her babe away

And I sit sewing purple by a lamp
weaving in it keys of gold
each one unlocking pleasant reverie
when an hour grows pale and old"

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