The Judgement of the Flood :: :: University of Virginia Library

Noah was absent; for it was the eve,
When he went forth into the silent fields
To meditate, while nature was serene:
And often then he heard the voice of God.
Soon, at brief distance, he beheld approach
Zateel, and Hori, by Elihu led;
And hastened to adore. Anon his guests
He welcomed to his hospitable home;
Then Noah thus.

‘And hath my Lord come down
To see if Earth hath altogether done
According to the cry that hath gone up?
O be not wroth; permit thou me to speak,
Who am but dust, and ashes; and still spare—
Nor with the wicked slay the righteous too.’

Whereto, placed in the midst, Elihu spake;
‘Thus saith the Lord to Noah, and his Sons;
Man but for them should perish from the earth,
Whose countless sins have sieged the Eternal Throne;
And the loud voice of blood incessant cries
For vengeance. Soon He riseth, and will sit
In Judgement; and his sentence will go forth,
Armed with omnipotence; and on all flesh
Death ride in Deluge, that His Spirit may
Be freed from bondage, and new Life may teem
From the baptizing flood, and Conscience rise,
With Godward answer, meet, and right, and good.
—Therefore prepare, O Sons of Noah, now,

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For those appointed labours, which erewhile
Were set you; since by wonders, and by signs,
And tribulations hindered, for so long
The All-Patient waits; for what to Him is time?
But He to time is all: and therefore Time
Hath now heard warning spoken; pleased, awaits
Another change; not inexperienced, hails;
Knowing that each brings on the accomplishment
For which he worketh, anxions to become
Complete, and perfect in Eternity.’

This having said, he vanished. Heard with awe,
The household trembled; and, in prayer devout,
Sought for the soul that solace it imparts.