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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONG by JOHN DOWLAND

First Line: SLEEP, WAYWARD THOUGHTS, AND REST YOU WITH MY LOVE
Last Line: SO SLEEPS MY LOVE—AND YET MY LOVE DOTH WAKE.
Subject(s): HAPPINESS; JOY; DELIGHT;

SLEEP, wayward thoughts, and rest you with my love;
Let not my love be with my love diseased.
Touch not, proud hands, lest you her anger move,
But pine you with my longings long displeased.
Thus while she sleeps, I sorrow for her sake,
So sleeps my love—and yet my love doth wake.

But O the fury of my restless fear,
The hidden anguish of my fond desires,
The glories and the beauties that appear
Beneath her brows, near Cupid's closed fires.
Thus while she sleeps, move sighing for her sake,
So sleeps my love—and yet my love doth wake.

My love doth rage, and yet my love doth rest,
Fear in my love, and yet my love secure;
Peace in my love, and yet my love oppressed,
Impatient yet of perfect temperature.
Sleep, dainty love, while I sigh for thy sake:
So sleeps my love—and yet my love doth wake.



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