Love sleeps! O do not strive to break
His slumbers, he too soon will wake.
But now all tranquilly he lies,
And the fair lid that shrouds his eyes
Is like the silvery cloud when driven
Across the deep blue summer heaven,
That bids the sunbeams shine less bright,
But cannot hide their glorious light.

He dreams of some ecstatic bliss,
His full, red lip pouts forth to kiss,
His brightly mantling blushes speak
Like those upon the maiden's cheek,
When, clasped to her fond lover's breast,
The first kiss on her lip is prest.

And on his gentle brow the while
Is that sweet look, half frown, half smile,
Like virgin coyness that reproves
The very tenderness it loves;
Now o'er his face a calmness steals---
O! nothing such deep bliss reveals;
Joy's ecstasy nought else can tell,
A smile, a sigh would break the spell.

But Love's bright visions cannot last;
E'en now they are already past;
See, ere his eyelids yet unclose,
Down his fair cheek the tear-drop flows.
Nay, hush thee, foolish boy, and sleep,
Since thou dost only wake to weep;
Alas! thou seekest for rest in vain---
Once waked, Love cannot dream again.