21

But say, what mean those colourd streaks in Heavn,

Distended as the Brow of God appeasd, [ 880 ]

Or serve they as a flourie verge to binde

The fluid skirts of that same watrie Cloud,

Least it again dissolve and showr the Earth?

To whom th Archangel. Dextrously thou aimst;

So willingly doth God remit his Ire, [ 885 ]

Though late repenting him of Man depravd,

Grievd at his heart, when looking down he saw

The whole Earth filld with violence, and all flesh

Corrupting each thir way; yet those remoovd,

Such grace shall one just Man find in his sight, [ 890 ]

That he relents, not to blot out mankind,

And makes a Covenant never to destroy

The Earth again by flood, nor let the Sea

Surpass his bounds, nor Rain to drown the World

With Man therein or Beast; but when he brings [ 895 ]

Over the Earth a Cloud, will therein set

His triple-colourd Bow, whereon to look

And call to mind his Covnant: Day and Night,

Seed time and Harvest, Heat and hoary Frost

Shall hold thir course, till fire purge all things new, [ 900 ]

Both Heavn and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell.

The End of the Eleventh Book.