sleep or death to me,
Still secure, for still with Thee!

556. 11s. M. Breviary.

Even-Song.

1 Be near us, O Father! through night's silent hour;
Impart to our slumbers Thy calmness divine;
Drop rest on our lids like the dew on the flower,
That even our still sleep may have something of Thine.

2 O watch o'er our couch; drive the tempter away;
From the sins that corrupt and betray keep us free;
That nor fancy shall wander, nor passion shall stray,
And we dream not a thought that's displeasing to Thee.

3 And grant, when deep sleep o'er our senses shall close,
That the heart may still watch, all unclouded and clear;
Guard, guard still Thy children; and bless the repose
That, stainless of sin, is untouched by a fear.

4 Then still to Thee, Father, our praises we pay;
Still to Thee we will offer love's infinite store;
Send down Thy pure spirit, even now while we pray;
Be with us, and keep us, and bless, evermore!

557. C. M. Breviary.

Our Guard By Night.

1 Lord of the world, who hast preserved
Us safely through this day,
Now guard us in the silent night,
And in all time, we pray!

2 Be present, in Thy peace, to those
Who as Thy suppliants wait;
Blot out the record of our sin;
Our gloom illuminate!

3 Let not, amid our hours of sleep,
Life's enemy steal in;
Let not a vision of the night
Have power to whisper sin.

4 Guard every avenue from guile,
When slumber seals our eyes;
And guiltless as we laid us down,
So guiltless let us rise.

558. 11s. M. Breviary.

Hymn of Night.

1 Creator of all! through whose all-seeing might
This ponderous globe to its hour is true,
Thou glad'st us each morn with the vision of light,
And at eve on our lids pourest slumber like dew.

2 The toils of the day are now brought to their end,
And night is preparing her balm for our eyes;
Our strength, Lord, encourage, our weakness defend;
Hear our prayers as they spring, and our hymns as they rise!

3 We beseech of Thee now, when dim night over all
Is enfolding her shroud and resuming her sway,