And so, as Enoch grew old

He told his son, Methuselah:

“I must walk with God before the world turns cold,

and the waters of chaos

wash away the sins of Cain.”

In time, Methuselah’s son, Lamech,

Came to his father and said:

My son, Noah, has been born

And shines with the light of the watchers.

Has Bitenosh, my wife, been unfaithful?”

Methuselah went unto Enoch

with that question, and Enoch answered thusly:

“Noah is the true son of Lamech

following the straight line of justice.

Attend! When the time is ripe

Hide thyself from Noah, the waters, and the watchers;

for thy life shall continue

Until the stars grow cold and time itself dies.”

So saying, Enoch walked with God

And was seen no more.

Noah grew tall and strong and built

an ark as he was commanded.

A little while before it was sealed

Methuselah hid himself

in the bedding for the animals.

He grew wise in the ways

Of hiding, and so lived

Unnoticed to the present day,

 Waiting.

* as translated from the Geez manuscript found in northern Ethiopia.