The Celtic Literature Collective

Evening Hymn
Ascribed to Saint Patrick

MAY thy holy angels,
O Christ, son of the living God,
tend our sleep, our rest,
our bright bed.

Let them reveal true visions
to us in our sleep,
O High­prince of the universe,
O great mysterious King.

May no demons, no ill,
no injury or terrifying dreams
disturb our rest,
our prompt and swift repose.

May our waking,
our work and our activity be holy;
our sleep, our rest,
unhindered and untroubled.

SOURCE
Kuno Meyer. Selections from Ancient Irish Poetry. 2nd ed. London : Constable & Co., 1913