Chapter 22 twenty one

But say, what mean those colourd streaks in Heavn, Distended as the Brow of God appealed, [ 880 ] Or serve they as a flourie verge to binde The fluid skirts of that same watrie Cloud, Least it again dissolve and showr the Earth? To whom th Archangel. Dextrously thou aims; So willingly doth God remit his Ire, [ 885 ] Though late repending him of Man depravd, Grievd at his heart, when looking down he saw The whole Earth filld with violence, and all flesh Corrupting each thir way; yet those removed, Such grace shall one just Man find in his sight, [ 890 ] 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 [ 895 ] Over the Earth a Cloud, will therein set His triple-colourd Bow, whereon to look And call to mind his Covnant: Day and Night, Seed time and Harvest, Heat and hoary Frost Shall hold thir course, till fire purge all things new, [ 900 ] Both Heavn and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell.