BOOK VII.
And while he spoke there was a noise without; The curtains of the door were flung aside, And some with heavy feet bare in, and set A litter on the floor.
The Master lay Upon it, but his eyes were dimmed and set; And Japhet, in despairing weariness, Leaned it beside.

He marked the mighty ones, Silent for pride of heart, and in his place The jewelled dragon; and the dragon laughed, And subtly peered at him, till Japhet shook With rage and fear.

The snaky wonder cried, Hissing, "Thou brown-haired youth, come up to me; I fain would have thee for my shrine afar, To serve among an host as beautiful As thou: draw near." It hissed, and Japhet felt Horrible drawings, and cried out in fear, "Father! O help, the serpent draweth me!" And struggled and grew faint, as in the toils A netted bird.

But still his father lay Unconscious, and the mighty did not speak, But half in fear and half for wonderment Beheld.

And yet again the dragon laughed, And leered at him and hissed; and Japhet strove Vainly to take away his spell-set eyes, And moved to go to him, till piercingly Crying out, "God! forbid it, God in heaven!" The dragon lowered his head, and shut his eyes As feigning sleep; and, suddenly released, He fell back staggering; and at noise of it, And clash of Japhet's weapons on the floor, And Japhet's voice crying out, "I loathe thee, snake! I hate thee! O, I hate thee!" came again, The senses of the shipwright; and he, moved, And looking, as one 'mazed, distressfully Upon the mighty, said, "One called on God: Where is my God?
If God have need of me, Let Him come down and touch my lips with strength, Or dying I shall die." It came to pass, While he was speaking, that the curtains swayed; A rushing wind did move throughout the place, And all the pillars shook, and on the head Of Noah the hair was lifted, and there played A somewhat, as it were a light, upon His breast; then fell a darkness, and men heard A whisper as of one that spake.