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...SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE: 43 by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING EPITAPHS OF THE WAR, 1914-18: A DEAD STATESMAN by RUDYARD KIPLING SONNET UPON HISTORIE OF GEORGE CASTRIOT, ALIAS SCANDERBERG by EDMUND SPENSER THE VIKING by CLARIBEL WEEKS AVERY |