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...DEATH THE LEVELLER, FR. THE CONTENTION OF AJAX AND ULYSSES by JAMES SHIRLEY ODE TO A LADY WHOSE LOVER WAS KILLED BY A BALL by GEORGE GORDON BYRON AIRS SUNG AT BROUGHAM CASTLE: THE KINGS GOOD NIGHT by THOMAS CAMPION LIGHT AND DARKNESS by ALICE CARY WAITING THE CHANGE by PHOEBE CARY THE CANTERBURY TALES: THE MERCHANT'S PROLOGUE by GEOFFREY CHAUCER |