A MORNING PRAYER.

Mit saelden müeze ich hiute ûf steh

In safety may I rise to-day;

Lord God, defend Thou all my way,

Where'er I go or ride throughout the land.

O Christ, now suffer me to prove

The mighty power of Thy dear love,

And for Thy mother's sake guard me on every hand:

As holy angels from on high

Once guarded Thee when Thou didst lie,

Thou ancient God, a babe of days,

Before the ox and ass so meek and still;

When Joseph ever good and true

To Thee and them gave tendance due,

With faithful care that still hath praise:

So care Thou, Lord, for me, in me fulfil

Thine own commands, and keep me in Thy ways.