Oh, rest a while, but on­ly for a while;
Life’s bu­si­ness press­es, and the time is short:
Ease may the wea­ry of re­ward be­guile;
Let not the work­man lose what he has wrought.

Rest for a while, if on­ly for a while.
The strong birds tire, and glad­ly seek their nest:
With qui­et heart en­joy Hea­ven’s qui­et smile;
What strength has he who ne­ver takes his rest?

Rest for a while, though ’tis but for a while;
Home flies the bee, then soon re-quits the hive:
Rest on thy staff, walk then ano­ther mile;
Soon will the long, the fi­nal rest ar­rive.

Oh, rest awhile, for rest is self-re­turn;
Leave the loud world, and vi­sit thine own breast;
The mean­ing of thy la­bors thou wilt learn,
When thus at peace, with Je­sus for thy guest.