Atharva Veda 19.50

To night: for protection

Do thou, O night, make the snake blind, harsh-smoked, headless; smite out the eyes of the wolf; cast the thief into the snare.

What draft-oxen thou hast, O night, sharp-horned, very swift, with them do thou today pass us always (viçváhā) over difficulties.

May we pass (tṛ) night after night receiving no harm with ourselves (tanvā̀); may the niggards fail to pass [it], as men without boats a deep [water].

As the millet-seed, flying forth, blowing away, is not found, so, O night, make him fly forth who is malicious against us.

Thou didst make the thief stay away, and the kine-driving robber, also him who, haltering the courser's head, tries to lead it [away].

When, O well-portioned night, thou comest today, sharing out what is good, [then] make us to enjoy that, that it go not away.

Unto the dawn, O night, do thou commit us all, free from guilt; may the dawn bestow (ā-bhaj) us on the day, the day on thee, O shining one.