To Sleep

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;

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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.