ithful covenant to be fulfilled, when the Warden of life, the
Lord Almighty, would give him respite from the perils he had
suffered while the black waves bore him far and wide upon the
waters over the spacious earth.

(ll. 1431-1448) The floods receded, and those sea-tossed men,
together with their wives, longed for the hour when they might
leave their narrow home, and step across the well-nailed sides
upon the shore, and from their prison lead out their possessions.
And Noah, the helmsman of the ark, made trial whether the
seafloods yet were ebbing under heaven. After many days, while
the high hills yet harboured the seed and treasure of the tribes
of earth, the son of Lamech let a dusky raven fly forth from the
ark over the deep flood. And Noah was sure that in its need, if
so be it should find no land upon this journey, the raven would
return to him again within the ark across the wide water. But
Noah's hope failed him! Exulting the raven perched upon the
floating bodies of the dead; the black-winged bird would not
return.

(ll. 1449-1463) And seven days after the dusky raven he let a
grey dove fly forth from the ark across the deep water, making
trial whether the high and foaming floods had yet receded from
any region of the green earth. Widely she sought her heart's
desire, circling afar, but nowhere finding rest. Because of the
floods she might not set foot upon the land, nor settle on the
branch of any tree because of the ocean-streams. The high hills
were covered by the deep. And so at evening over the dusky wave
the wild bird sought the ark, settling hungry and weary into the
hands of that holy man.

(ll. 1464-1476) And again after seven days a second dove was sent
forth from the ark. The wild bird circled widely till she found
a refuge and a pleasant resting-place, and settled in a tree.
Blithe of heart, she rejoiced that in her weariness she might
find rest upon its pleasant branches. She shook her feathers and
flew back with a gift, bearing as she flew a branch of an olive
tree with its green blades. And the prince of shipmen knew that
comfort was at hand, and a requital of their toilsome voyage.

(ll. 1476-1482) And again after seven days the blessed man sent
forth a third wild dove. And she flew not back unto the ark, but
came to land and the green forests. Her heart was glad; never
again would she appear under the black roof of the ark. Nor was
there need!

XXIII

(ll. 1483-1484