Sleep, O peaceful child of lonesome Night,
Alms Father, nourisher of every beast,
Gracious enchanter fading sins to peace,
And, for those spirits blessed, a welcome sight,

God, giving favour to all, all except me,
Why leave me alone? alone charged with this curse?
Even as humid Night drives her blackening hearse,
Whose horses play in ordinary grace and glee?

Where is thy silence? where is thy rest and calm?
Thy dreamings floating like some heavy clouds,
Washing with waves of forgetfulness our cares?

O brother of death, that I could bring thee harm!
I’ve been calling thee for help, thou art sleeping sound
As I, alert, burn in thy frozen fears.

Based on “Sommeil, paisible fils de la Nuit solitaire” by Philippe Desportes