Classic Poem

The golden light has presently
Its coursing through the sky let be;
The day its kingdom ends.
The pale moon keeps its sentry post,
Through darkness shines the starry host,
And gentle sleep descends.

Oh, I shall now in sweet repose
See how the night in slumber goes,
Exhausted by my pen,
With which throughout the day I strove,
Until the fall of darkness drove
My senses from their ken.

But let my glow, my flame advance
From out your joyful countenance,
Oh sunlight of my soul,
That not the shadows of the night
With terror make and cozy fright
My heart a torture-hole.

Remove that heavy swell of sin,
Which everywhere has entered in,
From my heart's bounds away,
That I may sweetly sleep, and that
I thank You, Lord, all joyful at
The coming of the day.

Now I shall lay me down to sleep
And give my soul, God, to your keep,
Which surely you will save.
Protect me from a hasty death,
From terror and from war's cruel breath,
Nor make me Satan's slave.