Watching unto God in the Night-Season

Sleep at last has fled these eyes,
Nor do I regret his flight,
More alert my spirits rise,
And my heart is free and light.

Nature silent all around,
Not a single witness near;
God, as soon as sought, is found;
And the flame of Love burns clear.

Interruption, all day long,
Checks the current of my joys;
Creatures press me with a throng,
And perplex me with their noise.

Undisturb'd I muse, all night,
On the first Eternal Fair;
Nothing there obstructs delight,
Love is renovated there.

Life, with its perpetual stir,
Proves a foe to Love and me;
Fresh entanglements occur--
Comes the night, and sets me free.

Never more, sweet sleep, suspend
My enjoyments always new:
Leave me to possess my Friend;
Other eyes and hearts subdue.

Hush the world, that I may wake
To the taste of pure delights;
Oh the pleasures I partake--
God the Partner of my nights!

David, for the self-same cause,
Night preferr'd to busy day;
Hearts, whom heav'nly beauty draws,
Wish the glaring sun away.

Sleep, Self-lovers, is for you--
Souls that love celestial know,
Fairer scenes by night can view,
Than the sun could ever show.