SLEEP, our lord, and for thy peace Let thy mother's softer voice Pray thy patrons to increase Freedom from all light and noise. Hark, her invocation draws To thy guard those princely Laws! Prince of Fire, in favour quench Moonlight upon wall and floor; And with gentle shadow drench Candles entering at the door; Michael, round about his bed Be thy great protection shed. Prince of Air, lest winds rush by Blustering about the park Of this night, with watchful eye Keep the palings of the dark; Raphael, round about his bed Be thy great protection shed. Prince of Water, if thy rains Must to-night prevent our dearth, Keep them from the window-panes, Softly let them bless the earth; Gabriel, round about his bed Be thy great protection shed. Prince of Earth, beneath our tread And above each doubtful board Be thy silent carpet spread; Let thy stillness hush our lord; Auriel, round about his bed Be thy great protection shed. Let your vast quaternion, Earth and Water, Fire and Air, Friend him as he goes upon His long journey, out to where, Princes, round his final bed Be your great protection shed. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SONG OF A HEATHEN by RICHARD WATSON GILDER HABEAS CORPUS by HELEN MARIA HUNT FISKE JACKSON THE MOWER AGAINST GARDENS by ANDREW MARVELL DISARMAMENT by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER |