midnight
The mother watch 'd , with earnest eye , Her youngest Child before her lie , Then meekly glancing up to heaven , `` Father , she was not lent , but given . `` Father , thou hast in mercy spoken , -- A tender tie from earth is broken , But that same tie is link 'd to heaven , And stronger faith and hope are given . '' A Mother 's Prayer . My children all have sunk to rest , The youngest pillow 'd on my breast , And though 't is midnight , stern and deep , I still a mother 's vigil keep . Why comes so oft the unbidden sigh ? Why springs the tear-drop to my eye , And why this agonizing prayer , Ming ` ling with the midnight air ? O , God , to thee I lift mine eye , Help thou , or else my children die .