Sleep, Baby!

Wink, wink! and peep, peepl
     Yes, little baby, go right to sleep.
Mamma has tumbled you all in a heap, 
     Filled you full, and rolled you in wool 
Like a sheep, to keep you from frosty sneap;
     Now, little baby, go right to sleep.

     I'll do the racket, and baby may rest;
     I'll do the looking, and baby may sleep;
I'll do the fussing, the kicking and tossing, 
The twisting and fisting, the rolling and crossing,
     For I am so strong I can do it the best, 
           And let little baby sleep.

Lay on the shelf, a bit, all your dumb alphabet;
I don't believe you understand half of it;
     Take the twist out of your little old face!
Yes, you look knowing; but never mind showing
Your mother-wit yet; it will keep as you sleep, 
     And come out with a pleasanter grace.

Hush, hush! Whist, whist!
Now are relaxing the fist and the twist, 
     And baby has gone to sleep, 
Happy and simple, in many a dimple 
     Dreamlets over his features sweep, 
     And smiles are lighting his baby sleep.

Babies are watching him, little and old, 
Ruddy and plump in their years untold;
     Airy and fairy-like, filling his dream.
From their shoulders white spring wings of light;
They float, unfluttering, full in his sight.
     In his smile I see their gleam.