Page 310 - The model orator, or, Young folks' speaker : containing the choicest recitations and readings from the best authors for schools, public entertainments, social gatherings, Sunday schools, etc. : including recitals in prose and verse ...

Silent vigils seem to keep,
A s I breathe: my childhood prayer-—-
“ Now I lay me down to sleep."

Sadly sings tile whip-poor-will
In the bough of yonder tree;
Laughingly the dancing rill
Swells the midnight melodv.
l*'oemen may be lurking near.
In the canyon dark- and deep:
Low I breathe in Jesus’ ear,
“ I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep.''1

Lvlid the stars one faet J sec,
One the Saviour called away ;
Mother who in infitncy
Taught my baby lips to pray.
Her sweet .spirit hovers near,
In ibis lonely mountain brake;
Take me to her, Saviour dear,
If If 1 should die before I wake.”

Riinter grows the flickering light.
A s each ember slowly dies ;
Plaintively the birds of night
Fill the itir with sad'r.lng cries.
Over me they seem to cry,
-Y o u may nevennen't: awake/1
Low I liF>p, ‘‘ If I should fiie,
I prt-y Thee, Lord, my soul to take/'

"N ow I lay me down to sleep,
I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep;
If I should die before .1 wake,
I pray Thee, Lorcf irv soul t*K tak*. 1