SLEEP! balmy Sleep! has clos'd the eyes of all,
And darkness reigns o'er this terrestrial ball,
But me, ah me , no respite can I gain,
Not one soft slumber cheats this vital pain!
All day in secret sighs I've pour'd my soul,
And now, at night, in floods of sorrow roll!
My downy pillow, us'd to scenes of grief,
Has lost its power to yield the least relief!

Thro' all the silence of this dreary night,
Made awful by that taper's gloomy light;
My aching heart re-echos ev'ry groan,
And makes each sigh, each mortal pang, its own!

But why should I implore sleep's friendly aid?
O'er me her poppies shed no ease impart;
But dreams of dear departing joys invade,
And rack, with fears, my sad foreboding heart!

Ah! could I take the fate to him assign'd
And leave the helpless family their head;
How pleas'd, how peaceful to my lot resign'd;
I'd quit the nurse's station for the bed!

Oh Death ! Thou canker worm of human joy!
Thou cruel foe to sweet domestic peace!
HE soon shall come that shall thy shafts destroy,
And cause thy dreadful ravages to cease!

Yes! The REDEEMER comes to wipe the tears,
The briny tears, from ev'ry streaming eye!
And Death and Sin, and doubts and fears,
Shall all be lost in endless victory!