Richard Watson Gilder

The Celestial Passion. Part 2. 9. “To Rest from Weary Work”

To rest from weary work one day of seven;
⁠     One day to turn our backs upon the world,
     ⁠Its soil wash from us, and strive on to Heaven—
⁠     Whereto we daily climb, but quick are hurled
Down to the pit of human pride and sin.
⁠     Help me, ye powers celestial! to come nigh;
     ⁠Ah, let me catch one little glimpse within
     ⁠The heavenly city, lest my spirit die.
These be my guides, my messengers, my friends:
⁠     Books of wise poets; the musician's art;
⁠     The ocean whose deep music never ends;
The silence of the forest's shadowy heart;
⁠     Not less the brooding organ's solemn blare,
⁠     And kneeling multitudes' low-murmuring prayer.