Many years ago, while reading myself to sleep, I came across something I loved. In fact, the author's last name was to be the name of the main character in "Etc.", but due to further inspiration, that has since changed. However, my love of the poem has not. I share it with you now:
Sonnet XXXIX from Astrophel and Stella
by Sir Philip Sydney
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 the prease
Of those fierce darts Despair at me doth throw;
O make in me those civil wars to cease;
I will good tribute pay, if thou do so.
Take thou of me smooth pillows, sweetest bed,
A chamber deaf to noise and blind to light,
A rosy garland and a weary head:
And if these things, as being thine by right,
Move not thy heavy grace, thou shalt in me,
Livelier than elsewhere, Stella's image see.
