Ode to Sleep by Charlotte Lennox

COME, gentle God of soft Repose,

And charm my Soul to Rest;

In thy Embraces let me lose

The Cares that rack my Breast.

Arise, ye dear Deceits, arise,

And drest in Damon’s Form,

My long-expecting, wishing Eyes

With his Resemblance charm.

Those melting Sounds still let me hear,

Which did his Flame impart;

Which blest with Love my list’ning Ear,

And pierc’d my yielding Heart.

Who rove my Thoughts on fancied Bliss

Which only Dreams bestow;

For oh whene’er the Morn appears,

I wake to real Woe.

The envious Light from my sad Eyes,

Drives all my Bliss away;

With Night the lovely Phantom flies,

And leaves me lost in Day.

Since waking then I am distrest,

And Pleasure’s fled with him;

If sleeping I can still be blest.

Let Life be all a Dream.

-          Charlotte Lennox