To Sleep

Composed 1806.--Published 1807

Placed among the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."--ED.

O gentle sleep! do they belong to thee, These twinklings of oblivion? Thou dost love To sit in meekness, like the brooding Dove, A captive never wishing to be free. This tiresome night, O Sleep! thou art to me A Fly, that up and down himself doth shove Upon a fretful rivulet, now above Now on the water vexed with mockery. I have no pain that calls for patience, no;[A] Hence am I cross and peevish as a child: Am pleased by fits to have thee for my foe, Yet ever willing to be reconciled: O gentle Creature! do not use me so, But once and deeply let me be beguiled.

VARIANTS:

1807.

... I am ... 1815.

The text of 1827 returns to that of 1807.

1807.

And ... 1815.

The text of 1827 returns to that of 1807.