The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 4 (of 8)

TO SLEEP

Reading edition

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 5 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[1] cross and peevish as a child: 10 Am[2] 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:

FOOTNOTES:

Notes in this chapter

Note 1 · Compare—"Et c'est encore ce qui me fâche, de n'etre pas même en droit de ... fâcher."—Rousseau, La Nouvelle Héloïse. "Vixque tenet lacrymas;Note 2 · 1807. I am ... 1815. The text of 1827 returns to that of 1807.Note 3 · 1807. And ... 1815. The text of 1827 returns to that of 1807.