To Sleep

Ah, stay, dear Sleep, a little longer yet,
Though Day be come to chase thee;
And let me in thy sheltering arms forget, —
Dear Sleep, once more embrace me!

The time will come when thou and I must part,
But now, Beloved, linger,
And soothe once more the sad and weary heart
Of me, thy lover and singer!

Dear Comforter, who reignest undefiled, —
Within thy kingdom holy
The weary man is even as a child, —
The lofty as the lowly.

Ah, when our nuptial day shall dawn on high, —
With nuptial love-fires lighted, —
Then I forever in thine arms shall lie.
By no fresh grief affrighted.