Like living crocus beds, and also drank,
And rose an orange cloud; their hollowed hands
They dipped between the lilies, or with robes
Full of ripe fruitage, sat and peeled and ate,
Weeping; or comforting their little ones,
And lulling them with sorrowful long hymns
Among the palms. 
                  So went the earlier morn. 
Then came a messenger, while Japhet sat
Mournfully, and he said, “The men of might
Are willing; let thy master, youth, appear.” 
And Japhet said, “So be it”; and he thought,
“Now will I trust in God”; and he went in
And stood before his father, and he said,
“My father”; but the Master answered not,
But gazed upon the curtains of his tent,
Nor knew that one had called him.  He was clad
As ready for the journey, and his feet
Were sandalled, and his staff was at his side;
And Japhet took the gown of sacrifice
And spread it on him, and he laid his crown
Upon his knees, and he went forth, and lift
His hand to heaven, and cried, “My father’s God!”
But neither whisper came nor echo fell
When he did listen.  Therefore he went on: 
“Behold, I have a thing to say to thee. 
My father charged thy servant, ’Let not ruth
Prevail with thee, to turn and bear me hence,
For God appointed me my task, to preach
Before the mighty.’  I must do my part
(O! let it not displease thee), for he said
But yesternight, ’When they shall send for me,
Take me before them.’  And I sware to him. 
I pray thee, therefore, count his life and mine
Precious; for I that sware, I will perform.”

Then cried he to his people, “Let us hence: 
Take up the litter.”  And they set their feet
Toward the raft whereby men crossed that flood. 
And while they journeyed, lo, the giants sat
Within the fairest hall where all were fair,
Each on his carven throne, o’er-canopied
With work of women.  And the dragon lay
In a place of honor; and with subtlety
He counselled them, for they did speak by turns;
And they being proud, might nothing master them,
But guile alone:  and he did fawn on them;
And when the younger taunted him, submiss
He testified great humbleness, and cried,
“A cruel God, forsooth! but nay, O nay,
I will not think it of Him, that He meant
To threaten these.  O, when I look on them,
How doth my soul admire.”

And one stood forth,
The youngest; of his brethren, named “the Rock.” 
“Speak out,” quoth he, “thou toothless slavering thing,
What is it? thinkest thou that such as we
Should be afraid?  What is this goodly doom?”
And Satan laughed upon him.  “Lo,” said he,
“Thou art not fully grown, and every one
I look on, standeth higher by the head,
Yea, and the shoulders, than do other men;
Forsooth, thy servant thought not thou wouldst fear,
Thou and thy fellows.”  Then with one accord,
“Speak,” cried they; and with mild persuasive eyes,
And flattering tongue, he spoke.