[Pontius Meropius Anicius Paulinus, “Poema IV. Ad Deum Matutina Precatio”, 4th-5th century AD.]
Almighty Father of creation whose power is supreme, hear me if my prayer is righteous. Let no day of mine be sad, nor any night disturb my tranquil sleep. May other men's possessions have no attraction for me; rather, may mine be of service to those who beg them. May none entertain desires to injure me; or if such desires exist, may they not harm me. May no chance arise of malevolence to others; instead, may I obtain the prospect of calm benevolence.4 May my mind be happy with what it has, and not surrender to base gain; may it prevail over the enticements of the body in virtuous approval of a chaste bed. May my harmful tongue, so popular with malicious ears and ever guilty of the spread of poison, loathe foul jokes and disgusting words. May I be prostrated by no man's death, nor gain by any man's demise. May I never envy anyone, nor ever lie. May my household attend me in gladness, and my well-fed native-slave, both as trusty comrade and shining attendant, joke before a feast not bought, together with my diligent spouse and offspring from that dear spouse. These are the blessings God bestows on chaste manners; this way of life is its own guarantee of eternal life for the age to come.
