LXXXIV. To Sleep

The FUMIGATION from a Poppy.

SLEEP, king of Gods, and men of mortal birth,

Sov'reign of all sustain'd by mother Earth;

For thy dominion is supreme alone,

O'er all extended, and by all things known.

'Tis thine all bodies with benignant mind 5

In other bands than those of brass to bind:

Tamer of cares, to weary toil repose,

From whom sweet solace in affliction flows.

Thy pleasing, gentle chains preserve the soul,

And e'en the dreadful cares of death controul; 10

For death and Lethe with oblivious stream,

Mankind thy genuine brothers justly deem.

With fav'ring aspect to my pray'r incline,

And save thy mystics in their works divine.

LXXXV.