Side 219 af 239

All now was changed to jollity and game, To luxury and riot, feast and dance; Marrying or prostituting, as befell, Rape or adultery, where passing fair Allured them-thence from cups to civil broils. At length a reverend sire among them came, And of their doings great dislike declared, And testified against their ways. He oft Frequented their assemblies, whereso met, Triumphs or festivals, and to them preached Conversion and repentance, as to souls In prison, under judgment imminent. But all in vain. Which, when he saw, he ceased Contending, and removed his tents far off. Then from the mountain hewing timber tall, Began to build a vessel of huge bulk; Measured by cubit, length, and breadth, and height, Smeared round with pitch, and in the side a door Contrived, and of provisions laid in large For man and beast. When, lo! a wonder strange! Of every beast, and bird, and insect small, Came sevens and pairs, and entered in, as taught Their order. Last, the sire and his three sons. With their four wives, and God made fast the door. Meanwhile the south wind rose, and, with black wings Wide-hovering, all the clouds together drove From under heaven; the hills to their supply Vapour, and exhalation, dusk and moist, Sent up amain. And now the thickened sky Like a dark ceiling stood; down rushed the rain Impetuous, and continued till the earth No more was seen; the floating vessel swum Uplifted, and secure, with beaked prow, Rode tilting o'er the waves; all dwellings else Flood overwhelmed, and them, with all their pomp, Deep under water rolled; sea covered sea,

PARADISE LOST.