midnight
And she 'll spread out her tempting store Of fruits and flow ` ers , to his warm ray ; He 'll touch them with his genial smile , As glad he runs his joyous way . But soon his journey will be o'er , And the dun curtains of the west , Will hide his beams , while low he sinks Upon the pillow of his rest . And soft will steal the twilight hour , And bring again my watch for thee ; Oh , who may tell a mother 's love , Or fathom that unbounded sea ? Time , that has pass 'd with rapid flight , On silent pinions , hurrying by , Has witness 'd oft the midnight watch , Of the fond mother 's earnest eye . In infancy , when feverish dreams Disturb 'd her darling as he slept , How anxious was the mother 's watch , As she her nightly vigil kept . Her watch is o'er the cradle cast , Through childhood 's wild and flow ` ry maze ; Her hand would lead through youth 's gay scenes , And smooth the path of riper days . Would shield from each impending ill , -- Would guard from ev'ry dang ` rous snare .