Behold, How goodly was the world! I gave it thee Fresh from its finishing.

What hast thou done?
I will cry out to the waters, _Cover it_, _And hide it from its Father.

Lo, Mine eyes_ _Turn from it shamed._'" With that the old man laughed Full softly.

"Ay," quoth he, "a goodly world, And we have done with it as we did list.
Why did He give it us?
Nay, look you, son: Five score they were that died in yonder waste; And if He crieth, 'Repent, be reconciled,' I answer, 'Nay, my lizards'; and again, If He will trouble me in this mine age, 'Why hast Thou slain my lizards ?' Now my speech Is cut away from all my other words, Standing alone.

The Elder sweareth it, The man of many days, Methuselah." Then answered Noah, "My Master, hear it not; But yet have patience"; and he turned himself, And down betwixt the ordered trees went forth, And in the light of evening made his way Into the waste to meet the Voice of God..