Liturgical
Te lucis ante terminum (To Thee, before the close of day)
Evening prayer · Latin text
The seventh-century Ambrosian hymn of Compline, asking God's protection through the night. This is the form found in the Roman and Monastic Breviaries; the Liturgy of the Hours drops the second verse and replaces it with two others.
To Thee, before the close of day Creator of the world, we pray that with Thy wonted favor, Thou wouldst be our Guard and Keeper now. From all ill dreams defend our eyes, from nightly fears and fantasies: tread under foot our ghostly foe, that no pollution we may know. O Father, that we ask be done through Jesus Christ Thine only Son, who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee, shall live and reign eternally. Amen.
When it is prayed
- compline
- evening
- night-prayer