INVOCATION TO SLEEP.
Reading edition
———
BY ENNA DUVAL.
———
Through the night’s weary vigils
My pulse doth keep time
With the clock’s never ceasing
And passionless chime.
Sweet Hope with my spirit
In daylight doth dwell,
But Sadness at nightfall
Weaves o’er me her spell.
In the twilight of dream-land
Dear forms hover near,
And their sweet, tender love tones
Sooth each rising fear.
Come, come to my pillow,
Thou dreamy-eyed Sleep!
For thou bringest with thee
Charms potent and deep.
Through my casement the moon beams,
I look on the sky,
And my fancy there pictures
Sleep’s form soaring high.
I see in the white clouds
Her head drooping low,
Her thin, trailing garments.
Her poppy-bound brow.
She is queen of the dream-land,
That pure, blest retreat:
And the loved that are parted
In spirit there meet.
Come, come to my pillow,
Thou poppy-crowned queen!
Bear off my sad spirit,
Of Hope let it dream.
Cruel Love by my pillow
Keeps hovering near:
Of the absent he murmurs—
Quick starts the sad tear.
I know that the fluttering
Of his tiny wing
Drives away the dear forms
Sleep only can bring.
For with sleep come the loved ones,
In dream-land we meet,
And our spirits there mingling,
Hold commune most sweet.
Come, come to my pillow,
Thou poppy-crowned queen!
And bring to my spirit
Sweet Hope’s soothing dream.