The Student's Serenade

I have slept upon my couch,     But my spirit did not rest,     For the labours of the day     Yet my weary soul opprest;     And, before my dreaming eyes     Still the learned volumes lay,     And I could not close their leaves,     And I could not turn away.     But I oped my eyes at last,     And I heard a muffled sound;     'Twas the night-breeze, come to say     That the snow was on the ground.     Then I knew that there was rest     On the mountain's bosom free;     So I left my fevered couch,     And I flew to waken thee!     I have flown to waken thee     For, if thou wilt not arise,     Then my soul can drink no peace     From these holy moonlight skies.     And, this waste of virgin snow     To my sight will not be fair,     Unless thou wilt smiling come,     Love, to wander with me there.     Then, awake! Maria, wake!     For, if thou couldst only know     How the quiet moonlight sleeps     On this wilderness of snow,     And the groves of ancient trees,     In their snowy garb arrayed,     Till they stretch into the gloom     Of the distant valley's shade;     I know thou wouldst rejoice     To inhale this bracing air;     Thou wouldst break thy sweetest sleep     To behold a scene so fair.     O'er these wintry wilds, alone,     Thou wouldst joy to wander free;     And it will not please thee less,     Though that bliss be shared with me.