Nor Washed Away By the Flood

Ejected, exiled, homeless, Eden banned, no fires called Adam home at end of day but Eve’s; and there alone where Sarah lay held nomad Abram any share of land. Beside the garden locked seemed naught but sand to Solomon his court in royal array; and home enough was Egypt’s farthest quay to Joseph, if but Mary held his hand. No, on this earth man has no fixed abode, but seldom reaping what few fields he sows. Yet to this rootless, shipwrecked traveller’s life comes oft a woman’s heart to share the load, be tent and hearth, and go where’er he goes: God pities him and fashions him a wife.