Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. II. The Seventeenth Century: Ben Jonson to Dryden

John Ford (1586–c. 1640)

Awakening Song (from The Lover’s Melancholy)

FLY hence, shadows, that do keep

Watchful sorrows, charmed in sleep!

Though the eyes be overtaken,

Yet the heart doth ever waken

Thoughts chained up in busy snares

Of continual woes and cares:

Love and griefs are so exprest,

As they rather sigh than rest.

Fly hence, shadows, that do keep

Watchful sorrows, charmed in sleep.