John 21:4: See a rough draught of human life

See a rough draught of human life!
All is one continued strife,
Fatigue and misery!
A night of perilous distress,
Without relief, without success,
We tempt the stormy sea.

But when the dreary hour is o'er,'
Jesus on the happy shore
Shall satisfy our need;
Shall bless us with the sight of God.
And with imperishable food
Our raptured spirits feed.

Even now we know 'tis He, 'tis He!
Him with eyes of faith we see
As in the haven stand;
Jesus our all-victorious God
Hath waded through a sea of blood
To that celestial land.

His work is done, His sufferings pass'd,
Safe arrived, He rests at last
In full supreme delight:
But we alas, are still at sea,
Compell'd in toil and jeopard)
To weather out the night.

Yet Him we trust who went before.
Jesus waiting on the shore
Our spirits to receive:
We soon shall reach that quiet place,
And through the vision of His face
In endless raptures live.