|
|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SLEEP, by CHARLES WILLIAMS Poet's Biography
First Line: Now industry is ended; now, kind sleep
Last Line: To ask no more, but only this, of death.
Subject(s): Immortality
First Line: Now industry is ended; now, kind sleep
Last Line: To ask no more, but only this, of death.
Subject(s): Immortality
NOW industry is ended; now, kind sleep,
Only be pleased to be not overswift,
But let our loosed and drowsy bodies keep
A little taste of exile; slowly sift
Night's heavier from the airy thoughts of day,
And at the point of our surrender make
Some new, delicious, ever-shorter stay;
Slowly to sleep is good, swiftly to wake.
Ah! coveted Joy, too absolute in content
To be exchanged for immortality,
How dost thou lure us from our late consent
And our night prayers to light and ecstasy,
Tempting us now, with our last waking breath,
To ask no more, but only this, of death.
Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!
Other Poems of Interest...
WALLACE STEVENS' LETTERS by ROBERT BLY
DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING by DAVID IGNATOW
I CLOSE MY EYES by DAVID IGNATOW
IN 'DESIGNING A CLOAK TO CLOAK HIS DESIGNS' YOU WRESTED FROM OBLIVION by MARIANNE MOORE
THE THINGS THAT DIE by GREGORY ORR
THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON
YOUTH'S IMMORTALITY by GEORGE SANTAYANA
FOR A CHILD: 1. WALKING SONG by CHARLES WILLIAMS
TO MICHAL: SONNETS AFTER MARRIAGE: 8. AFTER RONSARD by CHARLES WILLIAMS