Friday 8 March 2013

The Sa(n)dman



(Tytan - Sadman)



To Morpheus

Morpheus, thou god of sleep, 
O'er my couch thy shadow spread, 
Into slumber sweet and deep, 
Let my weary soul be laid. 
Fold me close within thy arms, 
God of sleep! I woo thy charms. 
  
Morpheus, thou god of sleep, 
To my tossing bed descend, 
From my brain these phantoms sweep, 
Blest oblivion kindly lend. 
Fold me close within thy arms, 
God of sleep! I woo thy charms. 
  
Morpheus, thou god of sleep, 
Why dost thou refuse my prayer? 
Lo! I bow in reverence deep, 
Asking rest from thought and care. 
Fold, oh! fold me in thy arms, 
Mighty god! I woo thy charms. 
  
Morpheus, thou false, false god! 
I'll no longer sing thy praise; 
Thou, denying me to nod, 
Giv'st to those who read my lays. 
Fold them close within thy arms, 
God o'sleep! they need thy charms. 

(Edward Granville Browne)


Pierre Narcisse Guerin: Morpheus and Iris