ers. He was a godly man, enjoying
bliss and blessing with his children, until his soul within his
breast, ready to depart, must needs go forth unto the glory of
God. And Gormer, Japheth's son, dispensed his father's treasure
among his friends and kinsmen, near and dear. And no little
portion of the earth was filled with their increase.

(ll. 1616-1628) Likewise sons were born unto Ham. The names of
the eldest were called Cush and Ham, two goodly youths, his
first-born sons. And Cush was ruler of his tribe, dispensing joy
and worldly wealth and treasure unto his brothers in his father's
stead, after Ham died, and his soul departed from this earthly
body. He ruled his tribe and gave them laws until his days were
run. Then he gave over earthly riches and sought another life
and his Father's bosom.

(ll. 1628-1636) And the first-born son of Cush, a far-famed man,
held his ancestral seat. The writings tell us that of all men
then alive his strength and power were greatest. He was lord of
the kingdom of Babylon, and first of princes to exalt her glory.
He enlarged her borders and brought her fame.

XXV

(ll. 1637-1639) Now there was yet one common tongue for all men
on the earth. And a great tribe was born of the stem of Ham and
a mighty people spreading far and wide.

(ll. 1640-1660) And Shem begat a host of free-born sons and
daughters, and, after many winters, went to his last rest. In
that tribe men were good! One of the sons of Shem was Eber, and
from him sprang a countless race which all men dwelling in the
earth call Hebrews. They departed out of the east, taking with
them all their substance, their cattle and their goods. That was
a dauntless folk! The heroes sought a roomier land, a wandering
folk, in mighty multitudes, and chose at last a fixed abode
wherein to settle. Far and wide in days of old the leaders of
that people, with their well-loved men, possessed the land of
Shinar, a land of green plains and pleasant valleys. And at that
time they prospered greatly, and had abundance of all good
things.

(ll. 1661-1678) Then many a man besought his friend, and one
stout warrior urged another, that, before their multitude and the
tribes of their people should be scattered again over the face of
the whole earth in search of land, they should build a city to
their glory and rear a tower unto the stars of heaven, to be a
sign that they had sought the land of Shinar, where of old the
mighty le