SLEEP first, br And let the storm and winter do their worst; br Let all the garden lie br Bare to the angry sky, br The shed leaves shiver and die br Above your bed; br Let the white coverlet br Of sunlit snow be set br Over your sleeping head, br While in the earth you sleep br Where dreams are dear and deep, br And heed nor wind nor snow, br Nor how the dark moons go. br In this sad upper world where Winter's hand br Has bound with chains of ice the weary land. br br br Then wake br To see the whole world lovely for Spring's sake; br The garden fresh and fair br With green things everywhere, br And winter's want and care br Banished and fled; br Primrose and violet br In every border set, br With rain and sunshine fed. br Then bless the fairy song br That cradled you so long, br And bless the fairy kiss br That wakened you to this-- br A world where Winter's dead and Spring doth reign br And lovers whisper in the budding lane.