 | Poems |  |
32
To Sleep.
I
Come balmy sleep, thou transient, sweet relief,Shed o'er my aching eyes thy soothing power;
And mingle with the silent tear of grief,
One drop extracted from thy opiate flower!
II
Shroud in thy downy and oblivious veil,The woes that still defer thy gentle reign,
And o'er my wearied senses softly steal,
The welcome bondage of thy unfelt chain!
III
Wrap in forgetfulness my care-worn mind,Give to oblivion my prophetic fears;
My mem'ry in thy magic thraldom bind,
Steal this sad sigh, and check these flowing tears.
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IV
O come! and let imagination beamO'er my soft slumbers her enchanting ray,
Shed her bright influence in some golden dream,
And hover round me with illusions gay!
V
Invoke the mimic Fancy to thy aid,And all her frolic and aerial train,
With rosy visions cheer thy votarist maid,
And with sweet treach'ry steal her bosom's pain!
VI
Each fond affection in my heart revive,(By sorrow's torpid touch long lull'd to rest;)
Once to each thrilling tone of joy alive,
But dormant now within my joyless breast!
VII
Thus come delightful and delusive sleep,Thus o'er my wither'd spirits claim thy power;
In thy sweet balm my anguish'd feelings steep,
For years of suff'rings grant one blissful hour!
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