Let no one say my baby has cried

There in the rushes.”

Thus said a mother, and offered a prayer,

As the small ark floated daintily there;

Leaving to God and His tenderest care

The cradle of rushes.

Who is now come to the river to lave?

Oh! ’tis the king’s daughter lovely and brave;

Bidding her maidens bring in from the wave

The cradle of rushes.