"He sleeps: perchance ne'er more to wake! 
O Father of mercy, for my Saviour's sake, 
    Spare me my child! 
To Thee alone, O Lord, can I look up; 
Thy Hand alone can turn away the cup! 
O hear my prayer; extend that Mighty Hand: 
Death will forbear at Thy supreme command!"
As thus the stricken mother wailed and prayed, 
The child awoke, looked up, and softly said: 
   "O mother, let me see the setting sun;
   Open the casement wide, the day is done;
And prithee sing to me that strain so dear,
That, from thy lips, I love at eve to hear;
The vigil prayer: 
                    Salva nos, Domine Vigilantes! 
                    Custodi nos dormientes!" 
But lo! the Lord had beckon'd from on high! 
The yielding soul, with one last lingering sigh, 
  Obey'd the call, and, borne on angel wings,
  Heav'nward fled!
She stood alone amid the deep'ning gloom, 
And still she watched, unconscious of her doom; 
Till Heav'n's soft sleep had closed her tear-dimmed eyes.
And in her dream she heard from Paradise 
The soft sweet voice of him she held so dear 
Bidding her sing, that God in Heaven might hear
The pleading prayer. 
                    Salva nos, Domine Vigilantes! 
                    Custodi nos dormientes!