THE WORLD IS ASLEEP.
Reading edition
Step softly for the world’s asleep And when it wakes, it wakes to weep O’er all the sins and dire mistakes That it will see when it awakes. O’er griefs and sorrows of the race, Which all mankind must sometimes face. O, world sleep on, ’tis better so Than to awake and see the woe, And burdens that mankind must bear; The aching hearts aye filled with care. In sleep you dream, and dream of peace; From turmoil dire you have surcease. Sleep on! Dream on! From care be free Through time, and through eternity. There is no rest, ’tis toil alway; ’Tis warfare, death, and then decay.