Poems (Dorr)/Wakening Early
WAKENING EARLY
In loving jest you wrote—"Ah, me!My babe's blue eyes are fair to see;And sweet his cooing love-notes be That waken me too early!"
Oh! would to God, beloved, to-dayThat merry shout or gleeful playMight drive your heavy sleep away, And bid you waken early.
But vain are all our prayers and cries;From your low bed you will not rise;No kisses falling on your eyes, Can waken you right early.
Bright are the skies above your bed,And through the elm-boughs overheadAre golden sunbeams softly shed, That wake you late nor early.
Beside you through these summer daysThe murmuring fountain, as it plays,Fills the soft air with diamond sprays, But does not wake you early!
We bring the flowers you loved so well,The pure white rose and lily bell;Their sweets break not this fearful spell; They do not wake you early!
We sing your songs; we pause to hearYour bird-like voice rise full and clear;Ah! dull and heavy is your ear; We cannot wake you early.
You will not wake? Then may your sleep,If it be long, be calm and deep;Thank God, the eyes forget to weep That do not waken early!