| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
| |
| Sir Philip Sidney. 1554–86 |
| |
| 94. Sleep |
| |
| 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 | 5 |
| 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, | 10 |
| 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. | |
|
|
