CCCXXXVI. Noah preserved in the Ark, and the Believer in CHRIST.

THE Deluge, at th' Almighty's Call,
In what impetuous Streams it fell!
Swallow'd the Mountains in its Rage,
And swept a guilty World to Hell.

In vain the tallest Sons of Pride
Fled from the close-persuing Wave;
Nor could their mightiest Tow'rs defend,
Nor Swiftness 'scape, nor Courage save.

How dire the Wreck! How loud the Roar!
How shrill the universal Cry
Of Millions in the last Despair
Re-eccho'd from the louring Sky!

Yet Noah, humble happy Saint,
Surrounded with the chosen Few,
Sat in his Ark, secure from Fear,
And sang the Grace that steer'd him thro.

So may I sing, in Jesus safe,
While Storms of Vengeance round me fall,
Conscious how high my Hopes are fix'd,
Beyond what shakes this earthly Ball.

Enter thine Ark, while Patience waits,
Nor ever quit that sure Retreat:
Then the wide Flood, which buries Earth,
Shall waft thee to a fairer Seat.

Nor Wreck nor Ruin there is seen;
There not a Wave of Trouble rolls;
But the bright Rainbow round the Throne
Seals endless Life to all their Souls.