Sleep, thou art come hither from the realm of the departed: thou, resolute, affectest men with rapture. Thou, Sleep, created by God's command, goest, well-knowing, with the solitary.

2 At first the all-containing depth beheld thee, ere night was born, when only day existed. Thence hast thou come, thence, Sleep, hast thou come hither, concealing, deep within, all form and figure.

3 Come in lofty glory, thou hast approached the angels in search of greatness. By God's command the angels ordained for Sleep his appointed place.

4 Of him neither forefathers nor angels have knowledge, save by God's leave. At the command of God the All-Seeing the angels transported Sleep to a distant place.

5 Thou whose severity hath reached ill-doers, and whose reward the good have gained in slumber, delightest heaven with thy most lofty kinship, born from the spirit that was worn and weary.

6 Of old we know all places whence thou comest, O Sleep, we know that God alone is thy Ruler. Protect us here illustrious with glory. Take far from us, with thee, the poison of evil dreams.