Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.
Astrophel and StellaXXXIX. Come Sleep! O Sleep! the certain knot of peace!
Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)C
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 press
Of those fierce darts, D
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 to 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, S