Francis Ireland was the pen name of Francis Hutcheson, son of the Scottish philosopher of the same name, under which he published his compositions, principally glees and catches. This glee was published in Warren's thirteenth collection of catches and glees.

Lyrics: George Granville, Lord Lansdowne

Great god of sleep, since it must be
That we must give some hours to thee,
Invade me not while the free bowl
Glows in my cheeks and warms my soul;
Then be my only time to snore
When I can laugh and drink no more;
Short, very short, be then thy reign,
For I'm in haste to laugh and drink again.
But oh, if melting in my arms
In some soft dream, with all her charms,
The nymph belov'd should then surprize
And grant what waking she denies;
Then gentle slumber prithee stay
Slowly, ah slowly, bring the day,
Let no rude noise my bliss destroy,
Such sweet delusion's real joy.