The City Of Sleep

Author: Rudyard Kipling


("The Brushwood Boy", The Day's Work)


Over the edge of the purple down,
 Where the single lamplight gleams,
Know ye the road to the Merciful Town
 That is hard by the Sea of Dreams,
Where the poor may lay their wrongs away,
 And the sick may forget to weep?
But we, pity us! Oh, pity us!
 We wakeful; ah, pity us!,
We must go back with Policeman Day,
 Back from the City of Sleep!

Weary they turn from the scroll and crown,
 Fetter and prayer and plough,
They that go up to the Merciful Town,
 For her gates are closing now.
It is their right in the Baths of Night
 Body and soul to steep,
But we, pity us! ah, pity us!
 We wakeful; ah, pity us!,
We must go back with Policeman Day,
 Back from the City of Sleep!

Over the edge of the purple down,
 Ere the tender dreams begin,
Look, we may look, at the Merciful Town,
 But we may not enter in!
Outcasts all, from her guarded wall
 Back to our watch we creep:
We, pity us! ah, pity us!
 We wakeful; ah, pity us!,
We that go back with Policeman Day,
 Back from the City of Sleep!

Type of Poem: Ballad

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem, "The Brushwood Boy" from The Day’s Work, is a poignant exploration of sleep, dreams, and the human longing for escape from the burdens of wakeful life. With its evocative imagery and plaintive refrain, it creates a vivid, almost eerie portrait of the boundary between consciousness and unconsciousness, and the longing for rest and respite.

The repeated phrase, "We, pity us! ah, pity us! We wakeful; ah, pity us!", underscores the overarching theme of longing and sorrow. The speaker and others are unable to remain in the 'Merciful Town', a metaphor for the realm of sleep and dreams, and must return to the harsh reality of waking life, symbolized as 'Policeman Day'. This recurring theme is accentuated by the poem’s structured, rhythmic pattern, which mirrors the relentless cycle of waking and sleeping.

The poem also employs vivid imagery to describe the 'Merciful Town', creating a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere. The phrase 'Sea of Dreams' stands out as a particularly potent symbol, suggesting a vast, tranquil expanse populated by the dreams of all humanity. The poet also uses strong contrasts, such as the 'scroll and crown' and 'fetter and plough', to highlight the disparity between the dream world and the waking world. This detailed imagery and strong emotional resonance make this poem a deeply moving meditation on the human condition.

Understanding Ballads

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.


Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:

  • Narrative Structure: Ballads typically tell a story, often a dramatic or emotional tale that unfolds in a straightforward, chronological order.
  • Quatrain Stanzas: Most ballads are composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, which adds to the musicality of the verse.
  • Repetition: Refrains or repeated lines are common in ballads, helping to emphasize key themes or emotions and making the ballad easier to remember.
  • Oral Tradition: Many ballads originated from oral traditions, which means they were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down.

From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.