A Cradle Song
Sweet dreams, form a shade
O’er my lovely infant’s head!
Sweet dreams of pleasant streams
By happy, silent, moony beams!Sweet Sleep, with soft down
Weave thy brows an infant crown!
Sweet Sleep, angel mild,
Hover o’er my happy child!Sweet smiles, in the night
Hover over my delight!
Sweet smiles, mother’s smiles,
All the livelong night beguiles.Sweet moans, dovelike sighs,
Chase not slumber from thy eyes!
Sweet moans, sweeter smiles,
All the dovelike moans beguiles.Sleep, sleep, happy child!
All creation slept and smiled.
Sleep, sleep, happy sleep,
While o’er thee thy mother weep.Sweet babe, in thy face
Holy image I can trace;
Sweet babe, once like thee
Thy Maker lay, and wept for me:Wept for me, for thee, for all,
When He was an infant small.
Thou His image ever see,
Heavenly face that smiles on thee!Smiles on thee, on me, on all,
Who became an infant small;
Infant smiles are His own smiles;
Heaven and earth to peace beguiles.
Summary of “A Cradle Song”
- Popularity of “Cradle Song”: Written in 1789 by the celebrated English Romantic poet William Blake, this beautiful lullaby was published the same year as part of his collection, Songs of Innocence. Beyond its soothing rhythm and rhyme, the poem resonates with themes of maternal love and spiritual connection.
- “Cradle Song” as a Representative of Motherly Love: “A Cradle Song” is a mother’s tender address to her sleeping child. Through gentle repetition and imagery, she invites peaceful dreams and expresses the depth of her affection. The song moves beyond simple comfort, however, as the mother perceives a divine presence in her child, recalling the image of God as an infant. This connection elevates the lullaby to a meditation on creation, innocence, and the all‑encompassing nature of love. The poem suggests that the child’s peaceful sleep reflects a universal tranquility, a harmony found in both the earthly and divine realms.
- Major Themes in “Cradle Song”: The poem intricately weaves together several key themes. Motherly love is central, manifested in the soothing repetition and tender descriptions. The innocence of childhood is another prominent theme, associating the child with purity and divine grace. The poem also explores the role of faith and the presence of God, drawing parallels between the infant Jesus and the sleeping child. Blake masterfully blends these elements, imbuing the seemingly simple lullaby with profound spiritual depth.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “A Cradle Song”
William Blake was a master of poetic craft, and “A Cradle Song” exemplifies his skillful use of literary devices to enhance meaning and evoke emotion.
- Allusion: Throughout the poem, Blake employs religious allusions, specifically to the figure of the infant Jesus. Lines like “Sweet babe, once like thee, Thy Maker lay and wept for me” directly reference the nativity and connect the child to divine origins.
- Anaphora: The repetition of “Sweet” at the beginning of many lines creates a musical quality and reinforces the comforting, benevolent tone of the lullaby. While not always consecutive, the recurring “Sweet” acts as a refrain, lulling both the child and the reader into a state of peacefulness.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds adds to the musicality of the poem. Notice the prevalence of the long “e” sound in lines like “Sweet dreams of pleasant streams,” creating a flowing, melodic effect.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds, such as the “s” sound in “Sweet Sleep,” emphasizes certain words and phrases, drawing attention to their significance.
- Consonance: Similar to alliteration, consonance involves the repetition of consonant sounds, but not necessarily at the beginning of words. The repetition of “m” and “s” in “Sweet smiles, mother’s smiles” creates a soothing sound that echoes the tenderness of the scene.
- Enjambment: Blake frequently uses enjambment, allowing phrases and ideas to flow seamlessly from one line to the next. For example, consider the lines:
Sweet babe, in thy face
Holy image I can trace;The thought extends beyond the first line, creating a sense of continuity and fluidity.
- Imagery: The poem is rich with evocative imagery that appeals to the senses. Phrases like “moony beams” and “soft down” create a vivid and calming picture in the reader’s mind. The imagery isn’t simply decorative; it reinforces the themes of peace, innocence, and divine grace.
- Metaphor: Blake utilizes metaphors to create deeper meaning. Sleep itself is personified as an “angel mild,” weaving a crown for the infant’s brow. This metaphor elevates sleep beyond a mere physical state, suggesting its protective and benevolent power.
- Simile: The use of similes, such as “Sweet moans, dovelike sighs,” draws comparisons that enrich the imagery. Comparing the child’s sighs to the cooing of doves creates a gentle and peaceful association.
- Symbolism: Several elements in the poem function symbolically. The “shade” can be seen as a symbol of protection and comfort. The “beams” represent divine light and grace. The infant itself symbolizes innocence and the potential for spiritual awakening.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “A Cradle Song”
Beyond literary devices, Blake employs various poetic techniques to create a harmonious and impactful poem.
- Diction: Blake’s choice of words is deliberately elevated and poetic. While accessible, the language possesses a certain formality and theological resonance, reflecting the spiritual themes of the poem.
- End Rhyme: The poem employs a consistent AABB rhyme scheme, creating a musical and predictable rhythm. This simple rhyme scheme contributes to the lullaby’s soothing quality.
- Quatrain: “A Cradle Song” is structured in quatrains – stanzas consisting of four lines. This traditional form lends a sense of order and stability to the poem.
- Repetition: The repetition of words like “sweet,” “sleep,” and “smiles” reinforces the central themes and creates a mesmerizing, incantatory effect.
- Stanza: The poem consists of eight stanzas, each contributing to the development of the central themes and imagery.
- Tone: The poem’s tone is overwhelmingly gentle, loving, and reverent. Blake creates a sense of peacefulness and tranquility that permeates the entire work.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines are particularly resonant and can be used to discuss the poem’s themes of divine creation and universal peace:
Smiles on thee, on me, on all,
Who became an infant small;
Infant smiles are His own smiles;
Heaven and earth to peace beguiles.
These lines encapsulate the poem’s central idea – that the innocence of a child reflects the divine nature of creation and that peace can be found in recognizing this connection.