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Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889

Sleep

By Julia C. R. Dorr (1825–1913)

[From Poems. 1892.]

WHO calls thee “gentle Sleep”?—O rare coquette,

Who comest crowned with poppies, thou should’st wear

Nettles instead, or thistles, in thy hair;

For thou’rt the veriest elf that ever yet

Made weary mortals sigh and toss and fret!

Thou dost float softly through the drowsy air

Hovering as if to kiss my lips and share

My restless pillow; but ere I can set

My arms to clasp thee, without sign or speech,

Save one swift, mocking smile, thou’rt out of reach.

Yet, some time, thou, or one as like to thee

As sister is to sister, shalt draw near

With such soft lullabies for my dull ear,

That neither life nor love shall waken me!