The Sleeper

Read 'The Sleeper' by 'Walter de la Mare' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

The Sleeper by Walter De La Mare

 As Ann came in one summer's day, 
She felt that she must creep, 
So silent was the clear cool house, 
It seemed a house of sleep. 
And sure, when she pushed open the door, 
Rapt in the stillness there, 
Her mother sat, with stooping head, 
Asleep upon a chair; 
Fast -- fast asleep; her two hands laid 
Loose-folded on her knee, 
So that her small unconscious face 
Looked half unreal to be: 
So calmly lit with sleep's pale light 
Each feature was; so fair 
Her forehead -- every trouble was 
Smooth'd out beneath her hair. 

But though her mind in dream now moved, 
Still seemed her gaze to rest 
From out beneath her fast-sealed lids, 
Above her moving breast, 
On Ann, as quite, quite still she stood; 
Yet slumber lay so deep 
Even her hands upon her lap 
Seemed saturate with sleep. 
And as Ann peeped, a cloudlike dread 
Stole over her, and then, 
On stealthy, mouselike feet she trod, 
And tiptoed out again.

Form: Ballad

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