Poems (Dorr)/Sleep
For works with similar titles, see Sleep.
SLEEP
Who calls thee "gentle Sleep?" O! rare coquette, Who comest crowned with poppies, thou shouldst wear Nettles instead or thistles, in thine hair;For thou 'rt the veriest elf that ever yetMade weary mortals sigh and toss and fret! Thou dost float softly through the drowsy air Hovering as if to kiss my lips and shareMy 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, sometime, 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!