(ll. 1483-1484) Then our Lord, the Warden of the heavenly
kingdom, with holy word spake unto Noah:
(ll. 1485-1492) "For thee again on earth a fair abiding-place is
founded, blessings upon the land, and rest from far sea-wandering.
Depart in peace out of the ark; go forth upon the bosom of the earth.
And from the high ship lead thy household, and all the living things
which graciously I shielded against the flood, so long as the sea
held sway and covered thy third home."
(ll. 1493-1511) And Noah hearkened unto God with great rejoicing,
and did according as the Voice commanded. And he went out upon
the shore, and led forth from the ark all who had survived that
time of woe. Then Noah, wise of counsel, began to offer
sacrifice to God. And for an offering he took a part of all his
goods which God had given him to enjoy, and, great in wisdom and
in glory, made sacrifice to God, the King of angels. And
straightway our Lord made known that He had blessed Noah, and
Noah's children, because he had offered that thank-offering, and
in his youth by good deeds had deserved the bounteous mercies
which Almighty God in majesty bestowed upon him. And God, the
Lord of glory, spake unto Noah and said:
(ll. 1512-1531) "Be fruitful and multiply, enjoying honour,
delighting in peace. Fill all the earth with your increase. To
you is given the home of your fathers, dominion over the fish of
the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts of the field,
over all the green earth and its teeming herds. Never shall ye
eat in blood your shameful feasts through sin defiled with blood.
For most he injureth himself and his soul's honour whoso shall
slay another with the sword. Verily! in no wise shall his heart
have joy in his reward! For many times more heavily will I
avenge man's life upon his murderer, because his sword hath
prospered in violence and blood, and his hands in death. Man was
first fashioned in the image of God. Each hath the form of God
and of the angels, whoso will keep My holy laws.
(ll. 1532-1542) "Be fruitful and multiply, enjoying grace on
earth and every pleasant thing. Fill all the regions of the
earth with your increase, your issue, and your seed. And unto
you I give My covenant that never again will I bring the waters
upon the earth or a flood on the wide-stretching land. Oft shall
ye behold the token of My promise in the heavens, when I show
forth My rainbow, that I will keep this covenant with men while
the world standeth."
(ll. 1543-1554) And the wise son of Lamech, the warden of wealth,
came forth from the ship as the flood receded, and his three sons
with him. And their four wives were called Percoba, and Olla,
and Olliva, and Ollivani. The Faithful Lord had saved them to
survive the flood. And Noah's stout-hearted sons were Shem and
Ham, and the third was Japheth. From them sprang many peoples,
and all the earth was filled with the sons of men.
(ll. 1555-1561) Then a second time Noah began to establish a home
with his kinsmen, and to till the earth for food. He toiled and
wrought and planted a vineyard and sowed seed, and laboured that
the green earth might bring forth her shining harvests, her
gleaming crops, in every season.
(ll. 1562-1576) And it came to pass upon a time that the blessed
man lay drunk with wine in his dwelling, and slumbered heavy with
feasting, and cast off his robe from his body, as was not seemly,
and lay there naked of limb. Little did he know what evil plight
was his in his dwelling, while drunkenness had hold upon his
heart within him in its holy house. But his soul was fast bound
in slumber, so that in his stupor he might not cover himself with
a garment, nor hide his shame, as was decreed for man and woman
what time the thane of glory with a sword of fire behind our
first great parents locked the gates of life.
(ll. 1577-1588) Then Ham, the son of Noah, went in where his lord
lay sleeping, and would not look with reverence upon his father,
nor cover his shame. But he laughed, and told his brothers how
their lord lay sleeping in his home. And straightway, covering
their faces with their cloaks, they went in unto the well-beloved
to bring him succour. For both were good of heart, both Shem and
Japheth.
(ll. 1588-1603) Then the son of Lamech awoke from his slumber,
and learned that Ham had failed to show him reverence or love
when he had greatest need. And the holy man was grieved in his
heart, and set a curse upon his son, saying that Ham should be an
outcast under heaven and servant to his kinsmen on the earth.
And the curse lay heavy upon him and on all his tribe. And Noah
and his sons as freemen ruled a wide-stretching realm for three
hundred and fifty winters of this life, after the flood. Then he
went hence. And his sons possessed his wealth, and begat
children and prospered.
(ll. 1603-1616) Children were born unto Japheth, a glad
hearth-band of sons and daughters. He was a godly man, enjoying
bliss and blessing with his children, until his soul within his
breast, ready to depart, must needs go forth unto the glory of
God. And Gormer, Japheth's son, dispensed his father's treasure
among his friends and kinsmen, near and dear. And no little
portion of the earth was filled with their increase.
(ll. 1616-1628) Likewise sons were born unto Ham. The names of
the eldest were called Cush and Ham, two goodly youths, his
first-born sons. And Cush was ruler of his tribe, dispensing joy
and worldly wealth and treasure unto his brothers in his father's
stead, after Ham died, and his soul departed from this earthly
body. He ruled his tribe and gave them laws until his days were
run. Then he gave over earthly riches and sought another life
and his Father's bosom.
(ll. 1628-1636) And the first-born son of Cush, a far-famed man,
held his ancestral seat. The writings tell us that of all men
then alive his strength and power were greatest. He was lord of
the kingdom of Babylon, and first of princes to exalt her glory.
He enlarged her borders and brought her fame.