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The Cave of Sleep

From “The Faërie Queene,” Book I. Canto I.
  HE, making speedy way through spersèd ayre,
  And through the world of waters wide and deepe,
  To Morpheus house doth hastily repaire,
  Amid the bowels of the earth full steepe,
  And low, where dawning day...

Poet: Edmund Spenser
Invocation to Sleep

From “Valentinian”
COME, Sleep, and with thy sweet deceiving
    Lock me in delight awhile;
    Let some pleasing dreams beguile
    All my fancies, that from thence
    I may feel an influence,
All my powers of care bereaving!

Though but...

Poet: John Fletcher
Sleep

From “Astrophel and Stella”
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,
The indifferent judge between the high and low,
With shield of proof shield me from out...

Poet: Sir Philip Sidney
Sleep

From “Second Part of Henry IV.,” Act III. Sc. 1.
KING HENRY.—How many thousand of my poorest subjects
Are at this hour asleep!—O sleep! O gentle sleep!
Nature’s soft nurse, how have I frighted thee,
That thou no more wilt weigh my eyelids down,
And steep my...

Poet: William Shakespeare