Charlotte Smith
Charlotte Turner Smith was an English Romantic poet and novelist. She initiated a revival of the English sonnet, helped establish the conventions of Gothic fiction, and wrote political novels of sensibility. Smith was a successful writer, publishing ten novels, three books of poetry, four children's books, and other assorted works, over the course of her career. She always saw herself as a poet first and foremost, however, as poetry was considered the most exalted form of literature at the time. Smith's poetry and prose was praised by contemporaries such as Romantic poets William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge as well as novelist Walter Scott. After 1798, Smith's popularity waned and by 1803 she was destitute and ill—she could barely hold a pen. She had to sell her books to pay off her debts. In 1806, Smith died. Largely forgotten by the middle of the 19th century, her works have now been republished and she is recognized as an important Romantic writer.
(http://www.poemhunter.com/charlotte-smith/biography/)
(http://www.poemhunter.com/charlotte-smith/biography/)
Analysis
The women is struggling greatly to go to sleep. no matter how hard she tries she still can't go to sleep. she goes all night thinking about "tired Nature's soft resort!". thinking about the seaboy doesn't help, or the little village girl being protected by her guardian angel doesn't help either and even her sleep aid denies her sleep. maybe it wasn't meant to be for her that night.
Devices
Paradox:
the whole poem is a paradox because she continually talks about a sleepy person, sleep appreciation, but she herself will not fall asleep.
Idiom:
"But still thy opiate aid dost thou deny"
this would not be understoof by people who doesn't talk like this. i believe this line means "but still the sleeping aide denies me." the persons who helps others go to sleep won't help her sleep.
the whole poem is a paradox because she continually talks about a sleepy person, sleep appreciation, but she herself will not fall asleep.
Idiom:
"But still thy opiate aid dost thou deny"
this would not be understoof by people who doesn't talk like this. i believe this line means "but still the sleeping aide denies me." the persons who helps others go to sleep won't help her sleep.