Come Sleep! Oh Sleep Suffering Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Line)

Quote #4

Take thou of me smooth pillows, sweetest bed,
A chamber deaf to noise and blind to light,
A rosy garland and a weary head: (9-11)

The speaker offers Sleep his "weary head." This is a very creative way of asking Sleep to relieve him of his suffering. Sure, we think for a second that he's taking off his head, but he really means it more figuratively: take this weary head and put it to sleep.

Quote #5

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 (12-14)

The word "heavy" is interesting. The whole poem has been about how Sleep is a balm—like, um, Chap Stick. "Heavy" isn't always a good word, though. It can be associated with sadness, for example, as in "It is with a heavy heart that I give you an F." Maybe Sleep is a cause of suffering too.