1.
Breeze of the night in gentler sighs
More softly murmur o’er
the pillow;
For Slumber seals my Fanny’s eyes,
And Peace must never shun
her pillow.
2.
Or breathe those sweet Æolian strains
Stolen from celestial spheres
above,
To charm her ear while some remains,
And soothe her soul to dreams
of love.
3.
But Breeze of night again forbear,
In softest murmurs only sigh:
Let not a Zephyr’s pinion dare
To lift those auburn locks
on high.
4.
Chill is thy Breath, thou breeze of night!
Oh! ruffle not those lids
of Snow;
For only Morning’s cheering light
May wake the beam that lurks
below.
5.
Blest be that lip and azure eye!
Sweet Fanny, hallowed be thy
Sleep!
Those lips shall never vent a sigh,
Those eyes may never wake
to weep.
February 23rd, 1808.
[Footnote 1: From the MS. in
the possession of the Earl of Lovelace.]
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