But say, what mean those colourd streaks in Heavn,
Distended as the Brow of God appeasd, [ 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 Argel. Dextrously thou aimst;
So willingly doth God remit his Ire, [ 885 ]
Though late repenting 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 remoovd,
Such grace shall one just Man find in his sight, [ 890 ]
That he relents, not to blot out mankind,
And makes a ant o 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 therei
His triple-colourd Bow, whereon to look
And call to mind his ant: Day and Night,
Seed time and Harvest, Heat and hoary Frost
Shall hold thir course, till fire purge all things new, [ 900 ]
Both Heavn ah, wherein the just shall dwell.
The End of the Eleventh Book.