He Giveth His Beloved Sleep

"It is vain for you to rise up early,

to take rest late, to eat the bread of anxious toil,

for He gives blessings to His beloved in sleep."

Psalm 127:2

Of all the thoughts of God that are

Borne inward unto souls afar,

Along the Psalmist's music deep.

Now tell me if that any is,

For gift or grace, surpassing this,

"He giveth His beloved sleep."

What would we give to our beloved?

The hero's heart to be unmoved,

The poet's star-tuned harp, to sweep,

The patriot's voice, to teach and rouse,

The monarch's crown, to light the brows?

"He giveth His Beloved Sleep."

What do we give to our beloved?

A little faith all undisproved,

A little dust to overweep,

And bitter memories to make

The whole earth blasted for our sake.

"He giveth His beloved sleep."

"Sleep soft, beloved!" we sometimes say,

But have no tune to charm away

Sad dreams that through the eyelids creep,

But never doleful dream again

Shall break his happy slumber when

"He giveth His beloved sleep."

O earth, so full of dreary noises!

O men, with wailing in your voices!

O delved gold, the wailer heap!

O strife, O curse, that o'er it fall!

God strikes a silence through you all

And "giveth His beloved sleep."

His dews drop mutely on the hill;

His cloud above it saileth still,

Though on its slope men sow and reap.

More softly than the dew is shed,

Or cloud is floated overhead,

"He giveth His beloved sleep."

Ay, men may wonder while they scan

A living, thinking feeling man,

Confirmed in such a rest to keep;

But angels say- and through the Word

I think their happy smile is heard-

"He giveth His beloved sleep."

For me my heart, that erst did go

Most like a tired child at a show,

That sees through tears the mummers leap,

Would now its wearied vision close,

Would childlike on His love repose

Who "giveth His beloved sleep."

And friends, dear friends,-when it shall be

That this low breath is gone from me,

And round my bier ye come to weep,

Let one most loving of you all

Say, "Not a tear must o'er her fall;

"He giveth His beloved sleep."

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

"He Giveth His Beloved Sleep"

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

(1809-1861)