midnight
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 . To thee my inmost thoughts arise ; By faith I pierce the vaulted skies , And there I see thy risen Son , Seated beside thee on the throne , His pitying accents cry `` Forgive , '' And let the thoughtless sinner live . `` Father , I have been crucified -- '' `` An ignominious death have died , -- '' `` Deep agony for sin have known ; '' `` Father , and will not this atone ? ''