Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FOR A CHILD: 2. NIGHT SONG, by CHARLES WILLIAMS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FOR A CHILD: 2. NIGHT SONG, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Sleep, our lord, and for thy peace
Last Line: Be your great protection shed.
Subject(s): Children; Parents; Sleep; Childhood; Parenthood


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.





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