University of Virginia Library

---

88

To a Lady Remarkably Fond of Sleep

Let others dread autumnal gales
When Libra holds the balanced scales;
But you no fears, no danger know,
Why should I be concern'd for you?—

Who would slumber on the deep
That on shore might sounder sleep?—
Take your choice of sea or land,
Both are yet at your command;

Both have evils, plagues and care,
And, on land, you have your share:
Be the choice as you incline,
Terra Firma shall be mine.

Seas and skies are scenes that tire
When nothing more is to admire;
Soon we wish the land again,
Nature's variegated scene.

Let me ask you, have you mind
To be in every case resign'd;
Are you truly well prepared,
Never subject to be scared,

Wipe your eye, lament and squall
When danger there is none at all:
Are you proof against the shocks
Of Greenland ice and Irish rocks?

Dearest Jenny think of this,
Take my council not amiss.—
On the vast Atlantic main
Dangers lurk—a ghastly train.

---

89

There are Pirates, bent on plunder,
Sons of rapine, sons of thunder;
There (the Yankees all agree)
Swims the Serpent of the sea.

There the Shark and there the whale
Who might thresh you with his tail
'Till your gay, embroidered dress
Shewed its signal of distress.

There are pretty mermaids too
Maids, I hope as good as you,
Virgin beauties, always watch'd
Rarely seen and rarely catch'd.

On the pillow of your bed
Morpheus shall his opiates shed
Till the seventy sixth degree
Ends a thousand leagues of sea.

On the ocean while you ride
May your dreams be satisfied;
Be it clear or be it dreary,
May you sleep till you are weary.

On those waters while she strays
Please good Neptune smooth the seas;
Gentle zephyrs, with your pinions
Waft her o'er his rude dominions.

Never think of what I said,
Dangers seen or dangers hid;
Be we stationed where we will,
Dangers must surround us still.

Objects there are many more,
Dangers less, or dangers more,

---

90

More than Neptune's sons of art
Yet have placed on any chart.