a tree; she exulted glad at heart, because exceedingly
weary [as she was] she could sit in the bright branches 1470
of a tree: she shook out her wings and started to fly
back again with her gift, [for she] brought in her flight
an olive twig, green leaves, into the hands of one [on
board]. Then quickly the leader of the voyagers per- 1475
ceived that solace had come, relief from their perilous
experience. So again after a third week the happy
man sent out a wild dove; it did not come flying back
to the ship, for it found land, green groves: the glad 1480
creature did not wish to show itself ever again under the
pitch-smeared roof on the Ark, when there was no need.




XVIII.


Then to Noe spoke our Preserver, Ruler of Heaven,
with holy voice:

"For you is a dwelling-place again appointed, fair 1485
on the dry land, joys on earth and rest after your voyage.
Depart in peace out of the Ark, and lead forth upon the
bosom of the earth out of this lofty structure your com-
panions and all the creatures which I mercifully preserved 1490
from the peril of the flood, while the deluge held sway
[and] covered your home with its abundance.[19]"