Poems (Storrie)/Twenty Gallons of Sleep

by Agnes Louisa Storrie

Twenty Gallons of Sleep.

Measure me out from the fathomless tun
 That somewhere or other you keep
In your vasty cellars, Oh! wealthy one,
 Twenty gallons of sleep.

Twenty gallons of balmy sleep,
 Dreamless, and deep, and mild,
Of the excellent brand you used to keep
 "When I was a little child.

I've tasted all of your vaunted stock,
 Your clarets and ports of Spain,
The liquid gold of your famous hock,
 And your matchless dry champagne.

Of your rich muscats, and your sherries fine,
 I've drunk both well and deep,
Then, measure me out, Oh! merchant mine,
 Twenty gallons of sleep.

Twenty gallons of slumber soft,
 Of the innocent, baby kind,
When the angels flutter their wings aloft,
 And the pillow with down is lined.

And eyelids droop over tired eyes,
 That never have learned to weep,
And the soul, like a ship in harbour, lies
 Twenty gallons of sleep!

I have drawn the corks, and drained the lees
 Of every vintage pressed,
If I've felt the sting of my honey bees,
 I've taken it with the rest.

I have lived my life, and I'll not repine,
 As I sowed I was bound to reap,
Then measure me out, Oh! merchant mine,
 Twenty gallons of sleep.