But so great was the harm that he had wrought upon the Earth, and
so deeply had he drenched it with blood, that it could not contain
him. So the Earth opened again, and spewed him forth.
Then he cried, "Let the Sea hide me!" And the waves rolled over
his head.
But the Sea, whereon he had wrought iniquity, and filled the depths
thereof with the bones of the innocent, could not endure him and
threw him up on the shore as refuse.
Then he cried, "Let the Air carry me away!" And the strong winds
blew, and lifted him up so that he felt exalted.
But the pure Air, wherein he had let loose the vultures of hate,
dropping death upon helpless women and harmless babes, found the
burden and the stench of him intolerable, and let him fall.
And as he was falling he cried, "Let the Fire give me a refuge!"
So the Fire, wherewith he had consumed the homes of men, rejoiced;
and the flames which he had compelled to do his will in wickedness
leaped up as he drew near.
"Welcome, old master!" roared the Fire. "Be my slave!"
Then he perceived that there was no hope for him in the justice of
the elements.
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