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The Works of Mr Abraham Cowley

Consisting of Those which were formerly Printed: And Those which he Design'd for the Press, Now Published out of the Authors Original Copies ... The Text Edited by A. R. Waller

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Sleep.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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Sleep.

1

In vain, thou drousie God, I thee invoak;
For thou, who dost from fumes arise,
Thou, who Mans Soul dost overshade
With a thick Cloud by Vapours made,
Canst have no power to shut his eyes,
Or passage of his Spi'rits to choak,
Whose flame's so pure, that it sends up no smoak.

2

Yet how do Tears but from some Vapours rise?
Tears, that bewinter all my Year?
The fate of Egypt I sustain,
And never feel the dew of Rain,
From Clouds which in the Head appear,
But all my too much Moysture ow,
To overflowings of the Heart below.

3

Thou, who dost Men (as Nights to Colours do)
Bring all to an Equality:
Come, thou just God, and equal me
A while to my disdainful She;
In that condition let me ly;
Till Love does the favour shew;
Love equals all a better way than You.

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4

Then never more shalt thou be'invokt by me;
Watchful as Spirits, and Gods I'll prove:
Let her but grant, and then will I,
Thee and thy Kinsman Death defy.
For betwixt Thee and them that love,
Never will an agreement be;
Thou scorn'st th' Unhappy; and the Happy, Thee.