Part 38 (1/2)

Thou mayest reclaim him, though he goeth now astray, And bring him again, of thy abundant grace, To the fold of faith, he acknowledging his trespa.s.s.

_Pater Clestis._ Thou knowest I have given to him convenient s.p.a.ce, With lawful warnings, yet he amendeth in no place.

The natural laws, which I wrote in his heart, He hath outraced, all goodness putting apart: Of health the covenant, which I to Adam made, He regardeth not, but walketh a d.a.m.nable trade.

_Noah._ All this is true, Lord, I cannot thy words reprove, Let his weakness yet thy merciful goodness move.

_Pater Clestis._ No weakness is it, but wilful working all, That reigneth in man through mind diabolical.

He shall have therefore like as he hath deserved.

_Noah._ Lose him not yet, Lord, though he has deeply swerved.

I know thy mercy is far above his rudeness, Being infinite, as all other things are in thee.

His folly therefore now pardon of thy goodness, And measure it not beyond thy G.o.dly pity.

Esteem not his fault farther than help may be, But grant him thy grace, as he offendeth so deeply, Thee to remember, and abhor his misery.

Of all goodness, Lord, remember thy great mercy, To Adam and Eve, breaking thy first commandment.

Them thou relievedst with thy sweet promise heavenly, Sinful though they were, and their lives negligent.

I know that mercy with thee is permanent, And will be ever so long as the world endure: Then close not thy hand from man, which is thy creature.

Being thy subject he is underneath thy cure, Correct him thou mayest and so bring him to grace.

All lieth in thy hands, to leave or to allure, Bitter death to give, or grant most sovereign solace.

Utterly from man avert not then thy face; But let him savour thy sweet benevolence Somewhat, though he feel thy hand for his offence.

_Pater Clestis._ My true servant Noah, thy righteousness doth move me Somewhat to reserve for man's posterity.

Though I drown the world, yet will I save the lives Of thee and thy wife, thy three sons and their wives, And of each kind two, to maintain you hereafter.

_Noah._ Blessed be thy name, most mighty merciful Maker, With thee to dispute, it were inconvenient.

_Pater Clestis._ Why dost thou say so? Be bold to speak thy intent.

_Noah._ Shall the other die without any remedy?

_Pater Clestis._ I will drown them all, for their wilful wicked folly That man hereafter thereby may know my power, And fear to offend my goodness day and hour.

_Noah._ As thy pleasure is, so might it always be, For my health thou art and soul's felicity.

_Pater Clestis._ After that this flood have had his raging pa.s.sage This shall be to thee my covenant everlasting.

The seas and waters so far never more shall rage, As all flesh to drown, I will so temper their working; This sign will I add also, to confirm the thing, In the clouds above, as a seal or token clear, For safeguard of man, my rainbow shall appear.

Take thou this covenant for an earnest confirmation Of my former promise to Adam's generation.

_Noah._ I will, blessed Lord, with my whole heart and mind.

_Pater Clestis._ Farewell then, just Noah, here leave I thee behind,

_Noah._ Most mighty Maker, ere I from hence depart, I must give thee praise from the bottom of my heart.

Whom may we thank, Lord, for our health and salvation But thy great mercy and goodness undeserved?

Thy promise, in faith, is our justification, As it was Adam's when his heart therein rested, And as it was theirs which therein also trusted.

This faith was grounded in Adam's memory, And clearly declared in Abel's innocency.

Faith in that promise old Adam did justify, In that promise faith made Eve to prophecy.

Faith in that promise proved Abel innocent, In that promise faith made Seth full obedient.