627. We Lay Us Down to Sleep by Louise Chandler Moulton. Stedman, Edmund Clarence, ed. 1900. An American Anthology, 1787-1900

Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

627. We Lay Us Down to Sleep

By Louise Chandler Moulton


WE lay us down to sleep,
And leave to God the rest:
Whether to wake and weep
Or wake no more be best.

Why vex our souls with care?	5
The grave is cool and low,—
Have we found life so fair
That we should dread to go?

We ’ve kissed love’s sweet, red lips,
And left them sweet and red:	10
The rose the wild bee sips
Blooms on when he is dead.

Some faithful friends we ’ve found;
But they who love us best,
When we are under ground,	15
Will laugh on with the rest.

No task have we begun
But other hands can take;
No work beneath the sun
For which we need to wake.	20

Then hold us fast, sweet Death,
If so it seemeth best
To Him who gave us breath
That we should go to rest.

We lay us down to sleep;	25
Our weary eyes we close:
Whether to wake and weep,
Or wake no more, He knows.