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1875–1928

Song of the Sleeper

Isabel Ecclestone Mackay

SLEEPER rest quietly Deep underground! Lord of your kingdom Of murmurous sound.

Hear the grass growing Sweet for the mowing; Hear the stars sing As they travel around —

Grass blade and star dust, You, I, and all of us, One with the cause of us, Deep underground!

Murmur not, sleeper! Yours is the key To all things that were and To all things that be —

While the lark's trilling, While the grain's filling, Laugh with the wind At Life's Riddle-me-ree!

How you were born of it? Why was the thorn of it? Where the new morn of it? Yours is the Key!

Sleep deeper, brother! Sleep and forget Red lips that trembled Eyes that were wet —

Though love be weeping, Turn to your sleeping, Life has no giving That death need regret.

Here at the end of all Hear the Beginning call, Life's but death's seneschal — Sleep and forget!

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Song of the Sleeper · Isabel Ecclestone Mackay · Poetry Cove