Newspaper History presents media sourced from a United States newspaper dating back 108 years.

  • The Guests of Sleep

    From The Birmingham Age Herald, December 29, 1914. By Theodosia Garrison.

    Sleep at the Inn o’ Dreams—
        A kindly host he waits,
    And all night long a goodly throng
        Comes softly through his gates.

    A varied company—
        Scholar and clown and king,
    Or prince or priest, or great or least,
        He gives them welcoming.

    For each he fills the cup
        Where poppy petals swim,
    Wherefrom each guest at his behest
        Drinks deeply, toasting him.

    And old men drink of youth,
        And sad men of delight,
    And weary men drink deep again
        The pulsing wine of might.

    And poets drink of song,
        But best and oh, most sweet,
    Above that brim where poppies swim
        The lips of lovers meet.

    Sleep at the Inn o’ Dreams—
        A kindly host he waits,
    And all night long a goodly throng
        Comes softly through his gates.