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, That Thy grace still may shine, 'mid the glooms that appal, As a star to our eyes, and a lamp to our way. 4 Though our bodies may sleep, let our souls be awake, Keep them free from the deadness that guilt only knows; Be the dream of the night pure as day, for Thy sake, And the calm of Thy paradise on our repose! 5 From all stain of crime let our bosoms be free, And still rest on our God, unpolluted and clear; So the tempter shall flee; nor our slumbers endure One pang of remorse or one shudder of fear. 559. L. M. Breviary. Night-Watches.