Poem 11

To whom the Archangel: “Dextrously thou aim’st. So willingly doth God remit his ire, Though late repenting him of Man depraved; Grieved at his heart, when looking down he saw The whole Earth filled with violence, and all flesh Corrupting each their way; yet, those removed, Such grace shall one just man find in his sight, 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 Over the Earth a cloud, will therein set His triple-coloured bow, whereon to look And call to mind his covenant. Day and night, Seed-time and harvest, heat and hoary frost, Shall hold their course, till fire purge all things new, Both Heaven and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell.”