Richard Francis Burton

Here you will find the Poem In Sleep of poet Richard Francis Burton

In Sleep

NOT drowsihood and dreams and mere idless, 
Nor yet the blessedness of strength regained, 
Alone are in what men call sleep. The past, 
My unsuspected soul, my parents? voice, 
The generations of my forbears, yea, 
The very will of God himself are there 
And potent-working: so that many a doubt 
Is wiped away at daylight, many a soil 
Washed cleanlier, many a puzzle riddled plain. 
Strong, silent forces push my puny self 
Towards unguessed issues, and the waking man 
Rises a Greatheart where a Slave lay down.