The sun is sinking in the west; The birds and bees have gone to rest And sleep, for one and all is best, Sleep, then, lovely Iris, sleep, Sweet Iris, sleep! The sunset, in the west, gleams, red; The purple clouds float, overhead; The butterflies have gone to bed; Sleep, then lovely Iris, sleep, Sweet Iris, sleep! The night sails in on silver wings; Cool breezes, in her arms, she brings And, drowsily, the cricket sings; Sleep, then, lovely Iris, sleep, Sweet Iris, sleep! The moon takes up a taper, tall, And lights her candles, large and small; Her starry candles, one and all, Sleep, then, lovely Iris, sleep, Sweet Iris, sleep! Rest and sleep till morning, On the breast of Night; All the stars look down and smile, They will guard you all the while By soft moonlight. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MAD MAID'S SONG by ROBERT HERRICK MODERN LOVE: 34 by GEORGE MEREDITH VITAI LAMPADA by HENRY JOHN NEWBOLT SIR RUPERT THE FEARLESS; A LEGEND OF GERMANY by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM GREEN AISLES by WILLIAM ROSE BENET THE PAGODA by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |