Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586)
Astrophel and Stella XXXIX
1Come Sleep! O Sleep, the certain knot of peace,
2The baiting-place of wit, the balm of woe,
3The poor man's wealth, the prisoner's release,
4Th' indifferent judge between the high and low.
5With shield of proof shield me from out the prease
6Of those fierce darts despair at me doth throw:
7O make in me those civil wars to cease;
8I will good tribute pay, if thou do so.
9Take thou of me smooth pillows, sweetest bed,
10A chamber deaf to noise and blind to light,
11A rosy garland and a weary head:
12And if these things, as being thine by right,
13Move not thy heavy grace, thou shalt in me,
14Livelier than elsewhere, Stella's image see.
Notes
4] indifferent: impartial.
5] prease: throng, press.
13] Move not thy heavy grace: impel not thy drowsy favour.
Online text copyright © 2009, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: Sir Philip Sidney, Sir P. S. his Astrophel and Stella ([J. Charlewood] for T. Newman, 1591). STC 22536. Facs. edn.: Menston: Scolar Press, 1970. PR 2342 A7 1591A ROBA.
First publication date:
1591
RPO poem editor: F. D. Hoeniger
RP edition: 3RP 1:121.
Recent editing: 2:2002/4/11
Form: sonnet
Rhyme: ababababcdcdee
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