Sleep on, dear, now br The last sleep and the best, br And on thy brow, br And on thy quiet breast br Violets I throw. br br Thy scanty years br Were mine a little while; br Life had no fears br To trouble thy brief smile br With toil or tears. br br Lie still, and be br For evermore a child! br Not grudgingly, br Whom life has not defiled, br I render thee. br br Slumber so deep, br No man would rashly wake; br I hardly weep, br Fain only, for thy sake. br To share thy sleep. br br Yes, to be dead, br Dead, here with thee to-day,-- br When all is said br 'Twere good by thee to lay br My weary head. br br The very best! br Ah, child so tired of play, br I stand confessed: br I want to come thy way, br And share thy rest.