Patrick Regan has kindly shared the material from his George Heath site with readers of the Victorian Web, who may wish to consult the original.
O! glorious day of rest; sublime release
From rankling care and all-absorbing toil;
The grinding wheels of commerce pause awhile,
And tumult, strife, and jarring factions cease,
And o'er the tired earth the angel Peace
Spreads her soft wings, and 'neath thy hallowed smile,
Anoints its festering wounds with holy oil;
And hearts grow bright again, and hopes increase,
And from ten thousand thousand tongues and choirs
The myriad songs of praise commingling, rise
Above the smoke-black tiles, the domes and spires;
Above the vapours and the calm blue skies,
To Him, whose word ordained the thrice-bless'd day
When Justice sleeps, and Mercy holds the sway.
Last modified 4 September 2002