Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/Saturday Evening

Saturday Evening.

Sweet is the last, the parting ray,That ushers placid evening in,When with the still, expiring day,The Sabbath's peaceful hours begin;How grateful to the anxious breast,The sacred hours of holy rest!

Hushed is the tumult of the day,And worldly cares and business cease,While soft the vesper breezes play,To hymn the glad return of peace;Delightful season, kindly given,To turn the wandering thoughts to heaven.

Oft as this peaceful hour shall come,Lord, raise my thoughts from earthly things,And bear them to my heavenly home,On faith and hope's celestial wings,—Till the last gleam of life decay,In one eternal Sabbath-day!