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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE SLEEP, by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Of all the thoughts of god that are / borne inward unto souls afar Last Line: "he giveth his beloved sleep." Variant Title(s): He Giveth His Beloved Sleep;to Sleep Subject(s): Bible; Death; Jews; Religion; Sleep; Dead, The; Judaism; Theology | |||
Of all the thoughts of God that are Borne inward unto souls afar, Among the Psalmist's music deep, Now tell me if that any is, For gift or grace, surpassing this, -- "He giveth his beloved sleep"? What would we give to our beloved? The hero's heart, to be unmoved, -- The poet's star-tuned harp, to sweep, -- The patriot's voice, to teach and rouse, -- The monarch's crown, to light the brows? "He giveth his beloved sleep." What do we give to our beloved? A little faith, all undisproved, -- A little dust to overweep, And bitter memories, to make The whole earth blasted for our sake, "He giveth his beloved sleep." "Sleep soft, beloved!" we sometimes say, But have no tune to charm away Sad dreams that through the eyelids creep; But never doleful dream again Shall break the happy slumber when "He giveth his beloved sleep." O earth, so full of dreary noise! O men, with wailing in your voice! O delved gold the wailers heap! O strife, O curse, that o'er it fall! God strikes a silence through you all, "He giveth his beloved sleep." His dews drop mutely on the hill, His cloud above it saileth still, Though on its slope men sow and reap; More softly than the dew is shed, Or cloud is floated overhead "He giveth his beloved sleep." Ay, men may wonder while they scan A living, thinking, feeling man Confirmed in such a rest to keep; But angels say, and through the word I think their happy smile is heard -- "He giveth his beloved -- sleep." For me, my heart, that erst did go Most like a tired child at a show, That sees through tears the mummers leap, Would now its wearied vision close, Would childlike on his love repose Who "giveth his beloved sleep." And friends, dear friends, when it shall be That this low breath is gone from me, And round my bier ye come to weep, Let One, most loving of you all, Say "Not a tear must o'er her fall!" "He giveth his beloved sleep." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MYSTIC BOUNCE by TERRANCE HAYES MATHEMATICS CONSIDERED AS A VICE by ANTHONY HECHT UNHOLY SONNET 11 by MARK JARMAN SHINE, PERISHING REPUBLIC by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE COMING OF THE PLAGUE by WELDON KEES A LITHUANIAN ELEGY by ROBERT KELLY A CHILD'S THOUGHT OF GOD by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |
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