"
Caesar, whom Shakespeare characterizes as "the foremost man of all this
world," says:--
"Let me have men about me that are fat;
Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o' nights."
And again, it is not an "old man broken with the storms of state" whom
he describes when he says:--
"Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies
Which busy care draws in the brains of men;
Therefore thou sleep'st so sound."
The poet also in various passages expresses his emphatic belief as to
what is the brightest blessing or the deadliest calamity which can be
laid upon our frail humanity. Rarely is a blessing invoked which does
not include the wish for tranquil sleep; and this, too, as the best and
greatest boon of all. His gracious benediction may compass honors and
wealth and happiness and fame,--that one's "name may dwell forever in
the mouths of men;" but
"The earth hath bubbles as the water hath,
And these are of them,"
as compared with the royal benison, "Sleep give thee all his rest."
The spectres of the princes and Queen Anne, in "Richard III.," invoking
every good upon Richmond, say:--
"Sleep, Richmond, sleep in peace and wake in joy."
And again:--
"Thou quiet soul, sleep thou a quiet sleep."
Romeo's dearest wish to Juliet is,--
"Sleep dwell upon thine eyes; peace in thy breast."
The crowning promise of Lady Mortimer, in "Henry IV.
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