Page:Redemption, a Poem.djvu/336

 330 REDEMPTION.

"With half his following band, had spent the night, Sedulous with their nets, their former care. From dusky eve to slant of rosy morn, They unremitting, unsuccessful, toil'd, And wearied with their labor, listless lay ; When Jesus, unreveal'd, thus ask'd Children, Have you any meat? To whom they answer, no. Then cast your nets, he said, on th' other side, And you shall straightway find. They cast as told, And now, with all their strength united, fail To draw their burden'd net from out the sea. Astonish'd at the draught, who he might be, The one beloved disciple instant knew, And thus to Peter straight confess'd his faith :

"Simon, this is none other than the Lord, Who, as Mary said, hath ris'n from the dead. His hand hath wrought this wonder, not our skill ; Come, let us hasten, and before him prone, Implore his pardon for our slow belief."

Simon staid not ; impulsive, at the word, Girding his coat, he plung'd into the sea, Urged his way to where the Master stood, Eager besought his pardon, and, with tears, 'In lowly plight confess'd his heinous fault, His weak denial, fear, and want of faith. Meanwhile, the others join'd him, who, subdued With like repentance, trembling kiss'd his feet ; O'erwhelm'd with sorrow, much depress'd with fear, Lest he, so late deserted, might not heed Their contrite voice, and penitential tears. Whilst they, in pain'd suspense, his grace implore, The Merciful with pity tow'rds them yearns,

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