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Home  »  The Oxford Book of English Verse  »  94. Sleep

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. 
 
GLOSS:  prease] press.