Part 309 (1/2)

Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; He eateth gra.s.s as an ox.

Lo now, his strength is in his loins, And his force is in the muscles of his belly. {228} He moveth his tail like a cedar: The sinews of his thighs are knit together.

His bones are as tubes of bra.s.s; His limbs are like bars of iron.

He is the chief of the ways of G.o.d: He only that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.

Surely the mountains bring him forth food; Where all the beasts of the field do play.

He lieth under the lotus trees, In the covert of the reed, and the fen.

The lotus trees cover him with their shadow; The willows of the brook compa.s.s him about.

Behold, if a river overflow, he trembleth not: He is confident, though Jordan swell even to his mouth.

Shall any take him when he is on the watch, Or pierce through his nose with a snare?

Canst thou draw out leviathan with a fish hook?

Or press down his tongue with a cord?

Canst thou put a rope into his nose?

Or pierce his jaw through with a hook?

Will he make many supplications unto thee?

Or will he speak soft words unto thee?

Will he make covenant with thee, That thou shouldest take him for a servant for ever?

Wilt thou play with him as with a bird?

Or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens? {229} Shall the bands of fishermen make traffic of him?

Shall they part him among the merchants?

Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons, Or his head with fish spears?

Lay thine hand upon him; Remember the battle, and do so no more.

Behold, the hope of him is in vain: Shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?

None is so fierce that he dare stir him up: Who then is he that can stand before me?

Who hath first given unto me, that I should repay him?

Whatsoever is under the whole heaven in mine.

I will not keep silence concerning his limbs, Nor his mighty strength, nor his comely proportion.

Who can strip off his outer garment?

Who shall come within his double bridle?

Who can open the doors of his face?

Round about his teeth is terror.

His strong scales are his pride, Shut up together as with a close seal.

One is so near to another, That no air can come between them.

They are joined one to another; They stick together, that they cannot be sundered.

His nostrils flash forth light, And his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.

Out of his mouth go burning torches, And sparks of fire leap forth.

Out of his nostrils a smoke goeth, {230} As of a boiling pot and burning rushes.

His breath kindleth coals, And a flame goeth forth from his mouth.

In his neck abideth strength, And terror danceth before him.

The flakes of his flesh are joined together: They are firm upon him; they cannot be moved.