26.01.2019, 11:12
SLEEP.
WHO calls thee "gentle Sleep?" O! rare coquette,
Who comest crowned with poppies, thou shouldst wear
Nettles instead, or thistles, in thy hair;
For thou 'rt the veriest elf that ever yet
Made weary mortals sigh and toss and fret !
Thou dost float softly through the drowsy air
Hovering as if to kiss my lips and share
My restless pillow; but ere I can set
My arms to clasp thee, without sign or speech,
Save one swift, mocking smile thou 'rt out of reach !
Yet, sometime, thou, or one as like to thee
As sister is to sister, shalt draw near
With such soft lullabies for my dull ear,
That neither life nor love shall waken me !
.
WHO calls thee "gentle Sleep?" O! rare coquette,
Who comest crowned with poppies, thou shouldst wear
Nettles instead, or thistles, in thy hair;
For thou 'rt the veriest elf that ever yet
Made weary mortals sigh and toss and fret !
Thou dost float softly through the drowsy air
Hovering as if to kiss my lips and share
My restless pillow; but ere I can set
My arms to clasp thee, without sign or speech,
Save one swift, mocking smile thou 'rt out of reach !
Yet, sometime, thou, or one as like to thee
As sister is to sister, shalt draw near
With such soft lullabies for my dull ear,
That neither life nor love shall waken me !
.