As gods sometimes descend from heav'n and deign On earth a while with mortals to remain, So gentle sleep from Serenissa flies, To dwell at last upon her lover's eyes. That god's indulgence can she justly crave, Who flies the tyrant to relieve the slave? Or should those eyes alone that rest enjoy, Which in all others they themselves destroy? Let her whom fear denies repose to take, Think for her love what crowds of wretches wake. So us'd to sighs, so long inur'd to tears, Are winds and tempests dreadful to her ears? Jove with a nod may bid the world to rest, But Serenissa must becalm the breast. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON BRODSKY'S COLLECTED by MICHAEL S. HARPER GUARDIANSHIP by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE HARD TIMES IN ELFLAND; A STORY OF CHRISTMAS EVE by SIDNEY LANIER THE LAST JUDGMENT by JOHN CROWE RANSOM UNDER A TELEPHONE POLE by CARL SANDBURG |