A Sleeping Beauty.
Sleep on, and dream of Heaven awhile!
Though shut so close thy laughing eyes,
Thy rosy lips still wear a smile,
And move and breathe delicious sighs.
Ah! now soft blushes tinge her cheeks
And mantle o'er her neck of snow;
Ah! now she murmurs, now she speaks,
What most I wish, and fear to know.
She starts, she trembles, and she weeps,
Her fair hands folded on her breast;
And now, how like a saint she sleeps,
A seraph in the realms of rest!
Sleep on secure! Above control,
Thy thoughts belong to Heaven and thee;
And may the secret of thy soul
Remain within its sanctuary!
