Why do we say "In the arms of Morpheus"?

Well-Known Expressions

In the arms of Morpheus

Meaning:

Sound asleep, most likely dreaming

Background:

The ancient Greeks believed Morpheus (the son of Hypnos, the god of sleep) to be the god of dreams.

In The Assembly of the Gods (1420) John Lydgate wrote: "Anone came in Morpheus and toke me by the sleue (sleeve)."

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