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FISHERMEN—NOT OF GALILEE.
(After reading a certain book.)
- THEY have toiled all the night, the long weary night,
- They have toiled all the night, Lord, and taken nothing:—
- The heavens are as brass, and all flesh seems as grass,
- Death strikes with horror and life with loathing.
- Walk’st Thou by the waters, the dark silent waters,
- The fathomless waters that no line can plumb?
- Art Thou Redeemer, or a mere schemer—
- Preaching a kingdom that cannot come?
- Not a word say’st Thou: no wrath betray’st Thou:
- Scarcely delay’st Thou their terrors to lull;
- On the shore standing, mutely commanding,
- “Let down your nets!”—And they draws them up,—full!
- * * * * *
- Jesus, Redeemer,—only Redeemer!
- I, a poor dreamer, lay hold upon Thee:
- Thy will pursuing, though no end viewing,
- But simply doing as Thou biddest me.
- Though Thee I see not,—either light be not,
- Or Thou wilt free not the scales from mine eyes,
- I ne’er gainsay Thee, but only obey Thee;
- Obedience is better than sacrifice.
- Though on my prison gleams no open vision,
- Walking Elysian by Galilee’s tide,
- Unseen, I feel Thee, and death will reveal Thee:
- I shall wake in Thy likeness, satisfied.
