The Poetical Works of the Right Hon. George Granville, Lord Lansdowne/95

by George Granville

DRINKING SONG. TO SLEEP.

Great god of Sleep, ſince it muſt be
That we muſt give ſome hours to thee,
Invade me not while the free bowl
Glows in my cheeks, and warms my ſoul;
That be my only time to ſnore5
When I can laugh and drink no more.
Short, very ſhort, be then thy reign,
For I ’m in haſte to laugh and drink again.

But, O! if melting in my arms
In ſome ſoft dream, with all her charms,10
The nymph belov’d ſhould then ſurpriſe,
And grant what waking ſhe denies;
Then, gentle Slumber! pr’y thee ſtay,
Slowly, ah! ſlowly bring the day;
Let no rude noiſe my bliſs deſtroy,
Such ſweet deluſion ’s real joy.16