The Poetry Corner

An Invitation To Sleep

By Eugene Field

Little eyelids, cease your winking; Little orbs, forget to beam; Little soul, to slumber sinking, Let the fairies rule your dream. Breezes, through the lattice sweeping, Sing their lullabies the while-- And a star-ray, softly creeping To thy bedside, woos thy smile. But no song nor ray entrancing Can allure thee from the spell Of the tiny fairies dancing O'er the eyes they love so well. See, we come in countless number-- I, their queen, and all my court-- Haste, my precious one, to slumber Which invites our fairy sport.