ST. JOHN XXI. 1. Joanna Baillie Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Baillie, Joanna, 1762-1851. Fugitive Verses. By Joanna Baillie, author of “Dramas on the Passions,“ etc. London Edward Moxon, Dover Street. MDCCCXL. 1840 pp. 394-395.

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ST. JOHN XXI . 1. TOIL-WORN upon their wavy sea , With empty nets and wasted store , The fishermen of Galilee Are steering cheerless to the shore . But lo ! upon the shelving strand , A form like one of Abraham's race , Beckons with friendly outstretched hand , Yet moves with more than mortal grace . And words came wafted on the wind , — " Friends have ye meat ? " they answered " None . " " Cast to the right and ye shall find , " And to the right their nets were thrown : When all the treasures of the deep Into their meshy cells were poured . Who may it be ? within them leap Their yearning hearts — " it is the Lord . " So he , traversing life's broad main , Who long hath toiled and nothing won , Will feel how profitless and vain A worldling's task when it is done ! His hands hang listless by his side , With languid eye and gathered brow , He wanders , hope no more his guide , For what hath she to offer now ? But hark , a voice ! he turns his head ; A treasure rich before him lies ; And rays of light from heaven are shed , To gleam the fair unfolded prize . Who doth this better gift impart , Than earth or ocean can afford ? O feel , and rouse thee , grateful heart ! And gladly own it is the Lord .