Sonnet XXIV. When leaden-hearted sleep had shut mine eyes

Richard Linche (fl. 1596–1601)

WHEN leaden-hearted sleep had shut mine eyes,

and close o’erdrawn their windowlets of light;

Whose wateriness the fire of grief so dries,

that weep they could no longer, sleep they might!

Methought, I sank down to a pool of grief,

and then, methought, such sinking much did please me:

But when I, down was plunged past all relief;

with flood-filled mouth, I called that some would ease me!

Whereat, methought, I saw my dearest Love,

fearing my drowning, reach her hand to mine;

Who pulled so hard to get me up above,

that with the pull, sleep did forsake mine eyen.

But when awaked, I saw ’twas but a dream;

I wished to have slept, and perished in that stream.