Sleep

By Sir Philip Sidney

1554-1586

COME, Sleep; O Sleep! the certain knot of peace,
The baiting-place of wit, the balm of woe,
The poor man's wealth, the prisoner's release,
Th' indifferent judge between the high and low;
With shield of proof shield me from out the prease
Of those fierce darts Despair at me doth throw:
O make in me those civil wars to cease;
I will good tribute pay, if thou do so.
Take thou of me smooth pillows, sweetest bed,
A chamber deaf to noise and blind of light,
A rosy garland and a weary head;
And if these things, as being thine by right,
         Move not thy heavy grace, thou shalt in me,
         Livelier than elsewhere, Stella's image see.

DayPoems Poem No. 96
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/96.html">Sleep by Sir Philip Sidney</a>

The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor

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