Sleep, softly-breathing God! his downy wing Was fluttering now, as quickly to depart; When twang'd an arrow from Love's mystic string, 30 With pathless wound it pierc'd him to the heart. Was there some magic in the Elfin's dart? Or did he strike my couch with wizard lance? For straight so fair a Form did upwards start (No fairer deck'd the bowers of old Romance) 35 That Sleep enamour'd grew, nor mov'd from his sweet trance! My Sara came, with gentlest look divine; Bright shone her eye, yet tender was its beam: I felt the pressure of her lip to mine! Whispering we went, and Love was all our theme-- 40 Love pure and spotless, as at first, I deem, He sprang from Heaven! Such joys with Sleep did 'bide, That I the living Image of my Dream Fondly forgot. Too late I woke, and sigh'd-- 'O! how shall I behold my Love at eventide!' 45 1795. FOOTNOTES: [94:2] First published in 1796: included in 1797, 1803, 1828, 1829, and 1834. LINENOTES: Title] Effusion xxiv. In the, &c. 1796: In the, &c. 1797. [17] Like snowdrop opening to the solar ray, 1796. [19] 'heard the silence of my thought' 1797, 1803. [26] to lift] uplift 1797, 1803. [Below l. 45] July 1795 1797, 1803. THE HOUR WHEN WE SHALL MEET AGAIN[96:1] (_Composed during Illness, and in Absence._) Dim Hour! that sleep'st on pillowing clouds afar, O rise and yoke the Turtles to thy car! Bend o'er the traces, blame each lingering Dove, And give me to the bosom of my Love! My gentle Love, caressing and carest, 5 With heaving heart shall cradle me to rest! Shed the warm tear-drop from her smiling eyes, Lull with fond woe, and medicine me with sighs! While finely-flushing float her kisses meek, Like melted rubies, o'er my pallid cheek. 10 Chill'd by the night, the drooping Rose of May Mourns the long absence of the lovely Day; Young Day returning at her promis'd hour Weeps o'er the sorrows of her favourite Flower; Weeps the soft dew, the balmy gale she sighs, 15 And darts a trembling lustre from her eyes. New life and joy th' expanding flow'ret feels: His pitying Mistress mourns, and mourning heals! ? 1795. FOOTNOTES: [96:1] First published in _The Watchman_, No. III, March 17, 1796 (_signed_ C.): included in 1797, 1803, 1844, and 1852. It was first reprinted, after 1803, in _Literary Remains_, 1836, i. 43, under 'the sportive title "Darwiniana", on the supposition that it was written' in half-mockery of Darwin's style with its _dulcia vitia_. (See 1852, _Notes_, p. 885.) LINENOTES: Title] Darwiniana. The Hour, &c. L. R., 1844: Composed during illness and absence 1852. [9-10] om. 1803. [14] her] the Lit. Rem., 1844, 1852. [17] New] Now Watchman. LINES[96:2]