European Elegies/Winter/To sleep
29.TO SLEEP
O Youthful Sleep, thou gentlest of the gods,
Let not my wretched eyes alone lack rest!
The beast in lair is silent, bird in nest,
And the bowed mountain-crest in slumber nods;
The torrent's voice is hushed, the sea-waves dream
And cease from moaning on the drowsy shore—
I, only I, thy absence must deplore
And toss distressful till the dawning's gleam.
Let not my wretched eyes alone lack rest!
The beast in lair is silent, bird in nest,
And the bowed mountain-crest in slumber nods;
The torrent's voice is hushed, the sea-waves dream
And cease from moaning on the drowsy shore—
I, only I, thy absence must deplore
And toss distressful till the dawning's gleam.
Alas! If somewhere in the long, dull night
Some lover throbbing in the arms of love
Shall flout thee, Sleep, turn hither thy soft flight!
Nor do I ask thy sweet wing's full embrace;
Give but a wand-touch, hovering above,
Or trail thy airy train across my face.
Some lover throbbing in the arms of love
Shall flout thee, Sleep, turn hither thy soft flight!
Nor do I ask thy sweet wing's full embrace;
Give but a wand-touch, hovering above,
Or trail thy airy train across my face.
From the Latin of Publius Papinius Statius.