But have no tune to charm away Sad dreams that through the eyelids creep:
But never doleful dreams again
Shall break the happy slumber when
"He giveth His beloved sleep."
O earth, so full of dreary noises!
O men, with wailing in your voices!
O delved gold, the wailers heap!
O strife, O curse, that o'er it fall!
God strikes a silence through you all,
And "giveth His beloved sleep."
His dews drop mutely on the hill,
His cloud above it saileth still,
Though on its slope men sow and reap,
More softly than the dew is shed,
Or cloud is floated overhead,
"He giveth His beloved sleep."
Ay, men may wonder while they scan
A living, thinking, feeling man,
Confirmed in such a rest to keep;
But angels say, and through the word
I think their happy smile is heard
"He giveth His beloved sleep."
For me, my heart that erst did go
Most like a tired child at a show,
That sees through tears the mummers
leap,
Would now its wearied vision close, Would childlike on His love repose, Who "giveth His beloved sleep."
And friends, dear friends - when it shall be
That this low breath is gone from me,
And round my bier ye come to weep,
Let one, most loving of you all,
Say, Not a tear must o'er her fall-
He giveth His beloved sleep.'