Sleep at last has fled these eyes, Nor do I regret his flight, More alert my spirits rise, And my heart is free and light. | Nature silent all around, Not a single witness near; God as soon as sought is found; And the flame of love burns clear. | Interruption, all day long, Checks the current of my joys; Creatures press me with a throng, And perplex me with their noise. | Undisturbed I muse all night, On the first Eternal Fair; Nothing there obstructs delight, Love is renovated there. | Life, with its perpetual stir, Proves a foe to love and me; Fresh entanglements occur— Comes the night, and sets me free. | Never more, sweet sleep, suspend My enjoyments, always new: Leave me to possess my friend; Other eyes and hearts subdue. | Hush the world, that I may wake To the taste of pure delights; Oh the pleasures I partake— God, the partner of my nights! | David, for the selfsame cause, Night preferred to busy day; Hearts whom heavenly beauty draws, Wish the glaring sun away. | Sleep, self–lovers, is for you— Souls that love celestial know Fairer scenes by night can view Than the sun could ever show. | |