Classic Poem

How fair she lies in her soft-lidded sleep!
So step but lightly, let her take her ease,
Who sleep do well! Can we her better please?
And meanwhile are there any laws to keep?
If she be mistress, 'twill be time to weep
When she doth chide us; we may then appease
By saying sin is sin but when one sees,
And sheep will roam when shepherds slumber deep!

Then doth the sleeper open angel eyes,
With strange, deep meaning, showing that she heard
Our foolish babble, knew our every deed!
In that sad look what keen arraignment lies,
What Sinai thunders in her whispered word,—
The patient Friend we wrong when most we need!