Thou coward servant of a tyrant King, Go down the desert of the bones, and ask, 'My King, what bones are these? Methuselah, The white old man that sitteth on the ground, Sendeth a message, "Bid them that they live, And let my lizards run up every path They wont to take when out of silver pipes, The pipes that Tubal wrought into my roof, I blew a sweeter cry than song-bird's throat Hath ever formed; and while they laid their heads Submiss upon my threshold, poured away Music that welled by heartsful out, and made The throats of men that heard to swell, their breasts To heave with the joy of grief; yea, caused the lips To laugh of men asleep. Return to me The great wise lizards; ay, and them that flew My pursuivants before me. Let me yoke Again that multitude; and here I swear That they shall draw my car and me thereon Straight to the ship of doom. So men shall know My loyalty, that I submit, and Thou Shalt yet have honor. O mine Enemy, By me. The speech of old Methuselah."'" Then Noah made answer, "By the living God, That is no enemy to men, great sire, I will not take thy message; hear thou Him. 'Behold (He saith that suffereth thee), behold, The earth that I made green cries out to Me, Red with the costly blood of beauteous man. I am robbed, I am robbed (He saith); they sacrifice To evil demons of My blameless flocks, That I did fashion with My hand. Behold, How goodly was the world! I gave it thee Fresh from its finishing. What hast thou done? I will cry out to the waters, _Cover it_, _And hide it from its Father. Lo, Mine eyes_ _Turn from it shamed._'" With that the old man laughed Full softly. "Ay," quoth he, "a goodly world, And we have done with it as we did list. Why did He give it us? Nay, look you, son: Five score they were that died in yonder waste; And if He crieth, 'Repent, be reconciled,' I answer, 'Nay, my lizards'; and again, If He will trouble me in this mine age, 'Why hast Thou slain my lizards?' Now my speech Is cut away from all my other words, Standing alone. The Elder sweareth it, The man of many days, Methuselah." Then answered Noah, "My Master, hear it not; But yet have patience"; and he turned himself, And down betwixt the ordered trees went forth, And in the light of evening made his way Into the waste to meet the Voice of God. BOOK III. Above the head of great Methuselah There lay two demons in the opened roof Invisible, and gathered up his words; For when the Elder prophesied, it came About, that hidden things were shown to them, And burdens that he spake against his time. (But never heard them, such as dwelt with him; Their ears they stopped, and willed to live at ease In all delight; and perfect in their youth, And strong, disport them in the perfect world.)