O, lost, Lost world!" And while he prayed, the daylight dawned.
And Noah went up into the ship, and sat Before the Lord.

And all was still; and now In that great quietness the sun came up, And there were marks across it, as it were The shadow of a Hand upon the sun,-- Three fingers dark and dread, and afterward There rose a white, thick mist, that peacefully Folded the fair earth in her funeral shroud, The earth that gave no token, save that now There fell a little trembling under foot.
And Noah went down, and took and hid his face Behind his mantle, saying, "I have made Great preparation, and it may be yet, Beside my house, whom I did charge to come This day to meet me, there may enter in Many that yesternight thought scorn of all My bidding." And because the fog was thick, He said, "Forbid it, Heaven, if such there be, That they should miss the way." And even then There was a noise of weeping and lament; The words of them that were affrighted, yea, And cried for grief of heart.

There came to him The mother and her children, and they cried, "Speak, father, what is this?
What hast thou done ?" And when he lifted up his face, he saw Japhet, his well-beloved, where he stood Apart; and Amarant leaned upon his breast, And hid her face, for she was sore afraid; And lo! the robes of her betrothal gleamed White in the deadly gloom.
And at his feet The wives of his two other sons did kneel, And wring their hands.
One cried, "O, speak to us; We are affrighted; we have dreamed a dream, Each to herself.

For me, I saw in mine The grave old angels, like to shepherds, walk, Much cattle following them.

Thy daughter looked, And they did enter here." The other lay And moaned, "Alas! O father, for my dream Was evil: lo, I heard when it was dark, I heard two wicked ones contend for me.
One said, 'And wherefore should this woman live, When only for her children, and for her, Is woe and degradation ?' Then he laughed, The other crying, 'Let alone, O prince; Hinder her not to live and bear much seed, Because I hate her.'" But he said, "Rise up, Daughters of Noah, for I have learned no words To comfort you." Then spake her lord to her, "Peace! or I swear that for thy dream, myself Will hate thee also." And Niloiya said, "My sons, if one of you will hear my words, Go now, look out, and tell me of the day, How fares it ?" And the fateful darkness grew.
But Shem went up to do his mother's will; And all was one as though the frighted earth Quivered and fell a-trembling; then they hid Their faces every one, till he returned, And spake not.