Before him Noah beheld the rising tide,
The awful lifting of those mighty waters;
And yet he trembled not and at his side
His steadfast wife stood with his sons and daughters.
In patience, also, each four-footed beast
And the two-footed owl and wren and lark.
Waiting untroubled while the waves increased—
And yet a gentle starlight lit the dark.
And suddenly Noah lifted up his hand;
Taking the dove, he let her flutter south,
Who, winged with truth, sought out the verdant land.
Brought back the olive branch within her mouth.
So by great faith Noah and his host were found
To walk forth proud upon the waiting ground.
