Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By RichardBurton

1361 In Sleep

NOT drowsihood and dreams and mere idless,

Nor yet the blessedness of strength regained,

Alone are in what men call sleep. The past,

My unsuspected soul, my parents’ voice,

The generations of my forbears, yea,

The very will of God himself are there

And potent-working: so that many a doubt

Is wiped away at daylight, many a soil

Washed cleanlier, many a puzzle riddled plain.

Strong, silent forces push my puny self

Towards unguessed issues, and the waking man

Rises a Greatheart where a Slave lay down.