s: (ll. 292-298) Now when God had heard all this, how His angel was


s: beginning to make presumptuous head against his Leader, speaking


s: rash words of insolence against his Lord, needs must he make


s: atonement for that deed, endure the woe of strife, and bear his


s: punishment, most grievous of all deaths.  And so doth every man


s: who wickedly thinketh to strive with God, the Lord of might.


s: (ll. 299-319) Then Almighty God, High Lord of heaven, was filled


s: with wrath, and hurled him from his lofty throne.  He had gained


s: his Master's hate, and lost His favour.  God's heart was hardened


s: torment because he strove against the Lord of heaven.  He


s: banished him from grace and cast him into hell, into the deep


s: abyss where he became a devil.  The Fiend and all his followers


s: fell from heaven; three nights and days the angels fell from


s: heaven into hell.  God changed them all to devils.  Because they


s: heeded not His deed and word, therefore Almighty God hurled them


s: into darkness, deep under earth, crushed them and set them in the


s: night the fiends endure an unremitting fire.  Then at the dawn


s: cometh an east wind, and bitter frost, ever a blast of fire or


s: storm of frost.  And each must have his share of suffering


s: wrought for his punishment.  Their world was changed when God


s: filled full the pit of hell with His foes!


s: (ll. 320-322) But the angels who kept their faith with God dwelt


s: (ll. 322-336) The other fiends who waged so fierce a war with God


s: flame in the midst of hell, broad-stretching blaze of fire and


s: bitter smoke, darkness and gloom, because they broke allegiance


s: unto God.  Their folly and the angel's pride deceived them.  They


s: They fell, through folly and through pride, to fiery depths of


s: flame in hell.  They sought another home devoid of light and


s: filled with fire--a mighty flaming death.  The fiends perceived


s: that through the might of God, because of their presumptuous


s: hearts and boundless insolence, they had won a measureless woe.


s: (ll. 337-355) Then spake their haughty king, who formerly was


s: fairest of the angels, most radiant in heaven, beloved of his


s: Leader and dear unto his Lord, until they turned to folly, and


s: Almighty God was moved to anger at their wantonness, and hurled


s: him down to depths of torment on that bed of death.  He named him


s: thenceforth Satan.  He bade him rule the black abyss of hell in


s: place of striving against God.  Satan spake--who now must needs


s: have charge of hell and dwell in the abyss--in bitterness he


s: spake who once had been God's angel, radiant-hued in heaven,


s: until his pride and boundless arrogance betrayed him, so that he


s: would not do the bidding of the Lord of hosts.  Bitterness was


s: welling in his heart; and round him blazed his cruel torment.


s: (ll. 355-367) "This narrow place is little like those other


s: realms we knew, on high in heaven, allotted by my Lord, though


s: the Almighty hath not granted us to hold our state, or rule our


s: kingdom.  He hath done us wrong to hurl us to the fiery depths of


s: human kind shall settle there.  That is my greatest grief that


s: Adam--wrought of earth--should hold my firm-set throne and


s: live in joy, while we endure this bitter woe in hell.


s: (ll. 368-388) "Alas! could I but use my hands and have my


s: heavy.  I am stripped of my dominion.  Firmly are hell's fetters


s: forged upon me.  Above me and below a blaze of fire!  Never have


s: I seen a realm more fatal--flame unassuaged that surges over


s: hell.  Ensnaring links and heavy shackles hold me.  My ways are


s: trammelled up; my feet are bound; my hands are fastened.  Closed


s: are the doors of hell, the way cut off.  I may not escape out of


s: my bonds, but mighty gyves of tempered iron, hammered hot, press


s: hard upon me.  God hath set His foot upon my neck.  So I know the


s: well that strife would grow between our host and Adam over the


s: heavenly realm, had I the freedom of my hands.


s: (ll. 389-400) "But now we suffer throes of hell, fire and


s: darkness, bottomless and grim.  God hath thrust us out into the


s: black mists.  He cannot charge upon us any sin or evil wrought


s: against Him in His realm!  Yet hath He robbed us of the light and


s: evil because He stripped us of the light.  He hath marked out the


s: with whom He hopes again to people heaven, with pure souls.  We


s: needs must ponder earnestly to wreak this grudge on Adam, if we


s: may, and on his children, and thwart His will if so we may


s: (ll. 401-407) "No longer have I any hope of light wherein He


s: thinketh long to joy, in bliss among His angel hosts; nor may we


s: ever bring this thing to pass, that we should change the purpose


s: of Almighty God.  Let us therefore turn the heavenly kingdom from


s: His favour and turn aside from the command He laid upon them.


s: Then shall His wrath be kindled, and He shall cast them out from


s: grace.  They shall seek out hell and its grim gulf, and in this


s: heavy bondage we may have the sons of men to serve us.


s: (ll. 408-424) "Begin now and plan this enterprise.  If ever in


s: olden days, when happily we dwelt in that good kingdom, and held


s: possession of our thrones, I dealt out princely treasure to any


s: thane, he could not make requital for my gifts at any better time


s: outward through these bolted gates, with strength to wing his way


s: abundance, dwell on earth--and we are cast out hither in this


s: deep abyss.  They are now much dearer unto God, and own the high


s: estate and rightful realm which we should have in heaven!  Good


s: (ll. 425-437) "My soul is sorrowful within me, my heart is sore,


s: that they should hold the heavenly realm for ever.  But if in any


s: teaching, soon would they be less pleasing unto Him!  If they


s: break His commandment, then will His wrath be kindled.  Their


s: high estate shall vanish; their sin shall have requital, and some


s: bring this thing to pass shall have reward for ever, of all that


s: we may win to our advantage, amid these flames.


s: (ll. 438-441) I will let him sit next me, whoever shall return to


s: the counsels of the King of heaven and been displeasing to the


s: ((LACUNA--Section missing of indeterminate length.))


s: (ll. 442-460) Then God's enemy began to make him ready, equipped


s: in war-gear, with a wily heart.  He set his helm of darkness on


s: his head, bound it full hard, and fastened it with clasps.  Many


s: a crafty speech he knew, many a crooked word.  Upward he beat his


s: heart.  Evil of purpose he circled in the air, cleaving the flame


s: sin, seduce them and deceive them that they might be displeasing


s: to the Lord.  With fiendish craft he took his way until he came


s: on Adam upon earth, the finished handiwork of God, full wisely


s: wrought, and his wife beside him, loveliest of women, performing


s: many a goodly service since the Lord of men appointed them His


s: (ll. 460-477) And by them stood two trees laden with fruit and


s: clothed with increase.  Almighty God, High King of heaven, had


s: set them there that the mortal sons of men might choose of good


s: and evil, weal and woe.  Unlike was their fruit!  Of the one tree


s: That was the tree of life.  He might live for ever in the world


s: who ate of that fruit, so that old age pressed not heavily upon


s: him, nor grievous sickness, but he might live his life in


s: happiness for ever, and have the favour of the King of heaven


s: here on earth.  And glory was ordained for him in heaven, when he


s: (ll. 478-495) The other tree was dark, sunless, and full of


s: shadows: that was the tree of death.  Bitter the fruit it bore!


s: And every man must know both good and evil; in this world abased


s: he needs must suffer, in sweat and sorrow, who tasted of the


s: fruit that grew upon that tree.  Old age would rob him of his


s: strength and joy and honour, and death take hold upon him.  A


s: little time might he enjoy this life, and then seek out the murky


s: are the worst for men for ever.  And that the evil one knew well,


s: form of a serpent, coiled round the tree of death by devil's


s: craft, and plucked the fruit, and turned aside again where he


s: beheld the handiwork of the King of heaven.  And the evil one in


s: (ll. 496-506) "Hast thou any longing, Adam, unto God?  His


s: service brings me hither from afar.  Not long since I was sitting


s: this fruit.  He said thy strength and power would increase, thy


s: mind be mightier, more beautiful thy body, and thy form more


s: fair.  He said thou wouldest lack no good thing on the earth when


s: (ll. 507-521) "In the heavenly light I heard Him speaking of thy


s: life, praising thy words and works.  Needs must thou do His


s: bidding which His messengers proclaim on earth.  Broad-stretching


s: not Himself endure the hardship to go upon this journey, but


s: sendeth His ministers to speak with thee.  He sendeth tidings


s: unto thee to teach thee wisdom.  Do His will with gladness!  Take


s: (ll. 522-546) And Adam, first of men, answered where he stood on


s: earth: "When I heard the Lord, my God, speaking with a mighty


s: voice, He bade me dwell here keeping His commandments, gave me


s: this woman, this lovely maid, bade me take heed and be not


s: tempted to the tree of death and utterly beguiled, and said that


s: he who taketh to his heart one whit of evil shall dwell in


s: blackest hell.  Though thou art come with lies and secret wiles,


s: I know not that thou art an angel of the Lord from heaven.  Lo!


s: I cannot understand thy precepts, thy words or ways, thy errand


s: or thy sayings.  I know what things our Lord commanded when I


s: beheld Him nigh at hand.  He bade me heed His word, observe it


s: well, and keep His precepts.  Thou art not like to any of His


s: angels that ever I have seen, nor hast thou showed me any token


s: that my Lord hath sent of grace and favour.  Therefore I cannot


s: hearken to thy teachings.  Get thee hence!  I have my faith set


s: firm upon Almighty God, who with His own hands wrought me.  From


s: His high throne He giveth all good things, and needeth not to


s: (ll. 547-550) Then turned the fiend with wrathful heart to where


s: he saw Eve standing on the plains of earth, a winsome maid.  And


s: unto her he said, the greatest of all ills thereafter would fall


s: (ll. 551-558) "I know God's anger will be roused against you,


s: when from this journey through far-stretching space I come again


s: to Him, and bring this message, that ye refuse to do His bidding,


s: come to speak with you, forsooth, nor may His minister proclaim


s: His mission!  Truly I know His wrath will be kindled against you


s: (ll. 559-587) "But if thou, woman, wilt hearken to my words, thou


s: away His vengeance from you both, as I shall show thee.  Eat of


s: this fruit!  Then shall thine eyes grow keen, and thou shalt see


s: afar through all the world, yea!  unto the throne of God, thy


s: Lord, and have His favour.  Thou mayest rule the heart of Adam,


s: if thou incline to do it and he doth trust thy words, if thou


s: wilt tell him truly what law thou hast in mind, to keep God's


s: precepts and commandments.  His heart will cease from bitter


s: strife and evil answers, as we two tell him for his good.  Urge


s: him earnestly to do thy bidding, lest ye be displeasing to the


s: Lord your God.  If thou fulfill this undertaking, thou best of


s: women, I will not tell our Lord what evil Adam spake against me,


s: his wicked words accusing me of falsehood, saying that I am eager


s: But I know well the angel race, and the high courts of heaven.


s: Long ages have I served the Lord my God with loyal heart.  I am


s: (ll. 588-599) So he urged with lies and luring wiles, tempting


s: the woman unto sin, until the serpent's counsel worked within


s: her--for God had wrought her soul the weaker--and her heart


s: inclined according to his teaching.  Transgressing God's


s: commandment, from the fiend she took the fatal fruit of the tree


s: of death.  Never was worse deed wrought for men!  Great is the


s: wonder that Eternal God, the Lord, would let so many of His


s: thanes be tricked with lies by one who brought such counsel.  She


s: (ll. 600-610) Then could she see afar by gift of the fiend, whose


s: the heavens appeared to her more radiant, and the earth and all


s: the world more fair, the great and mighty handiwork of God,


s: though she beheld it not by human wisdom; but eagerly the fiend


s: deceived her soul and gave her vision, that she might see afar


s: across the heavenly kingdom.  Then spake the fiend with hostile


s: purpose--and nought of profit did he counsel:


s: (ll. 610-625) "Now mayest thou behold, most worthy Eve, nor need


s: I tell thee, how fair thy beauty and thy form how changed, since


s: thou didst trust my words and do my bidding.  A radiance shineth


s: round about thee, gleaming splendour, which I brought forth from


s: God on high.  Thou mayest touch it!  Tell Adam what vision thou


s: hast and power by my coming.  And even yet, if he will do my


s: bidding with humble heart, I will give him of this light


s: abundantly, as I have given thee, and will not punish his


s: reviling words, though he deserves no mercy for the grievous ill


s: he spake against me.  So shall his children live hereafter!  When


s: (ll. 626-635) Then the lovely maid, fairest of women that ever


s: came into this world, went unto Adam.  She was the handiwork of


s: the King of heaven, though tricked with lies and utterly undone,


s: so that through fiendish craft and devil's fraud she needs must


s: be displeasing to the Lord, forfeit God's favour, and lose her


s: glory and her heavenly home.  So often evil dwelleth with that


s: man who doth not shun it when he hath the power.


s: (ll. 636-646) Of the fatal apples some she carried in her hands


s: and some lay on her breast, the fruit of the tree of death


s: whereof the Lord of lords, the Prince of glory, had forbidden her


s: they would but forgo that fruit alone, that bitter fruit, which


s: the mortal tree brought forth upon its boughs.  That was the tree


s: (ll. 647-654) But the fiend, who hated God, and loathed the King


s: of heaven, deceived with lies Eve's heart and erring wisdom, and


s: she believed his words and did his bidding, and came at last to


s: think his counsels were indeed from God, as he so cunningly had


s: said.  He showed to her a token, and gave her promise of good


s: faith and friendly purpose.  Then to her lord she said:


s: (ll. 655-665) "Adam, my lord!  This fruit is sweet and pleasing


s: to the heart; this radiant messenger is God's good angel!  I know


s: Better to win his favour than his wrath!  If thou to-day hast


s: spoken aught of evil, yet will he still forgive thee, if we will


s: do his will.  Of what avail this bitter strife against the herald


s: before Almighty God, the King of heaven.


s: (ll. 666-683) "I can behold where in the south and east He who


s: shaped the world sits veiled in splendour.  I see the angels


s: circling round His throne, in winged flight, unnumbered myriads,


s: clothed in beauty.  Who could give me such discernment, except it


s: I hear the hymns of rapture from on high.  Radiance blazes on my


s: soul without and within since first I tasted of the fruit.  Lo!


s: my good lord!  I bring thee in my hand this fruit, and give thee


s: freely of it.  I do believe that it is come from God, and brought


s: (ll. 684-703) Long she pled, and urged him all the day to that


s: dark deed, to disobey their Lord's command.  Close stood the evil


s: tempting him.  The fiend stood near at hand who on that fatal


s: mission had come a long, long way.  He planned to hurl men down


s: to utter death, mislead them and deceive them, that they might


s: lose the gift of God, His favour and their heavenly realm.  Lo!


s: well the hell-fiend knew they must endure God's anger and the


s: pains of hell, suffer grim misery and woe, since they had broken


s: God's commandment, when with his lying words he tricked the


s: beauteous maid, fairest of women, unto that deed of folly, so


s: that she spake according to his will; and aided her in tempting


s: (ll. 704-716) Over and over the fairest of women pled with Adam,


s: until she began to incline his heart so that he trusted the


s: command the woman laid upon him.  All this she did with good


s: intent, and knew not that so many evils, such grim afflictions,


s: would come upon mankind, when she was moved to hearken to the


s: counsels of the evil herald; but she hoped to win God's favour by


s: man, that the mind of Adam was changed within his breast, and his


s: (ll. 717-726) From the woman he took both death and hell,


s: although it did not bear these names, but bore the name of fruit.


s: exile and damnation--these were the fatal fruit whereon they


s: feasted.  And when the apple worked within him and touched his


s: heart, then laughed aloud the evilhearted fiend, capered about,


s: (ll. 726-749) "Now have I won thy promised favour, and wrought


s: thy will!  For many a day to come is man undone, Adam and Eve!


s: God's wrath shall be heavy upon them, for they have scorned His


s: precepts and commandments.  Wherefore they may no longer hold


s: their heavenly kingdom, but they must travel the dark road to


s: hell.  Thou needest not feel sorrow in thy heart, as thou liest


s: in thy bonds, nor mourn in spirit that men should dwell in heaven


s: goodly dwellings.  God's anger was kindled against us because in


s: heaven we would not bow our heads in service before the Holy


s: Lord.  It pleased us not to serve Him.  Then was God moved to


s: wrath and hard of heart, and drove us into hell; cast a great


s: host into hell-fire, and with His hands prepared again in heaven


s: celestial thrones, and gave that kingdom to mankind.


s: (ll. 750-762) "Blithe be thy heart within thy breast!  For here


s: to-day are two things come to pass: the sons of men shall lose


s: their heavenly kingdom, and journey unto thee to burn in flame;


s: also heart-sorrow and affliction are visited on God.  Whatever


s: death we suffer here is now repaid on Adam in the wrath of God


s: and man's damnation and the pangs of death.  Therefore my heart


s: is healed, my soul untrammelled in my breast.  All our injuries


s: are now avenged, and all the evil that we long have suffered.


s: Now will I plunge again into the flame, and seek out Satan, where


s: (ll. 762-769) Then the foul fiend sank downward to the wide-flung


s: and Eve were wretched in their hearts; sad were the words that


s: passed between them.  They feared the anger of the Lord their


s: God; they dreaded the wrath of the King of heaven.  They knew


s: (ll. 770-790) The woman mourned and wept in sorrow (she had


s: forfeited God's grace and broken His commandment) when she beheld


s: hell and untold woe.  Wherefore heartsorrow burned within their


s: breasts.  Husband and wife they bowed them down in prayer,


s: beseeching God and calling on the Lord of heaven, and prayed that


s: commandment.  They saw that their bodies were naked.  In that


s: land they had as yet no settled home, nor knew they aught of pain


s: done God's will.  Many a rueful word they uttered, husband and


s: wife together.  And Adam spake unto Eve and said:


s: (ll. 791-820) "O Eve!  a bitter portion hast thou won us!  Dost


s: thou behold the yawning gulf of hell, sunless, insatiate?  Thou


s: mayest hear the groans that rise therefrom!  The heavenly realm


s: is little like that blaze of fire!  Lo!  fairest of all lands is


s: this, which we, by God's grace, might have held hadst thou not


s: hearkened unto him who urged this evil, so that we set at naught


s: the word of God, the King of heaven.  Now in grief we mourn that


s: evil mission!  For God Himself bade us beware of sin and dire


s: disaster.  Now thirst and hunger press upon my heart whereof we


s: formerly were ever free.  How shall we live or dwell now in this


s: land if the wind blow from the west or east, south or north, if


s: mist arise and showers of hail beat on us from the heavens, and


s: frost cometh, wondrous cold, upon the earth, or, hot in heaven,


s: shineth the burning sun, and we two stand here naked and


s: unclothed?  We have no shelter from the weather, nor any store of


s: shall become of us?  Now I repent me that I prayed the God of


s: heaven, the Gracious Lord, and of my limbs He wrought thee for my


s: Lord.  Well may I repent to all eternity that ever I beheld thee


s: (ll. 821-823) Then spake Eve, the lovely maid, fairest of women.


s: (She was the work of God, though led astray by power of the


s: (ll. 824-826) "Well mayest thou upbraid me, my dear Adam!  But


s: thou canst not repent one whit more bitterly in thy heart than my


s: (ll. 826-839) And Adam answered her: "If I but knew the will of


s: God, the penalty I needs must pay, thou couldest not find one


s: more swift to do it, though the Lord of heaven bade me go forth


s: and walk upon the sea.  The ocean-stream could never be so


s: wondrous deep or wide that ever my heart would doubt, but I would


s: God.  I have no wish for years of manhood in the world now that I


s: (ll. 840-851) And they turned and went weeping into the green


s: wood, and sat them down apart from one another to wait the fate


s: the Lord of heaven should assign them, since they had lost their


s: former state and portion which Almighty God had given them.  And


s: they covered their bodies with leaves, and clothed them with the


s: foliage of the wood, for they had no garments.  And both together


s: the Gracious Lord, that He would not forget them, but would teach


s: (ll. 852-866) Then came Almighty God, the Glorious Prince,


s: walking in the garden after the midday, according to His will.


s: Our Saviour, the Merciful Father, would fain discover what His


s: children did.  He knew their glory was gone which formerly He


s: gave them.  Sadly they stole away into the darkness of the trees,


s: heard the holy voice of God, and were afraid.  Then the Lord of


s: heaven began to call the warden of the world, and bade His son


s: come quickly unto Him.  And he made answer unto God, and spake of


s: (ll. 867-871) "I will clothe my nakedness with a garment, my dear


s: cast down within me.  I dare not come before Thy presence, for I


s: (ll. 872-881) And straightway God made answer unto him: "Tell me,


s: Thou didst not formerly feel shame before Me, but only joy.


s: Wherefore art thou humbled and abashed, knowing sorrow, covering


s: thy body with leaves, sad of heart and wretched in thy woe,


s: saying thou needest clothing, except thou hast eaten of the fruit


s: (ll. 882-886) And Adam again made answer: "My Lord!  this woman,


s: this lovely maid, gave me the fruit into my hand, and I took it


s: in trespass against Thee.  And now I clearly bear the token upon


s: (ll. 887-895) Then Almighty God questioned Eve: "Of what avail,


s: My daughter, were My abundant blessings, the new-created Paradise


s: hands with yearning unto the tree, and pluck the apples growing


s: on its boughs, and eat the deadly fruit in trespass against Me,


s: and give to Adam, when by My word it was forbidden to you both?"


s: (ll. 895-902) And the lovely woman, put to shame, made answer:


s: "The serpent, the deadly snake, with fair words tempted me, and


s: eagerly enticed me to that deed of sin and evil appetite, until I


s: within the wood, as was not right, and ate the fruit."


s: (ll. 903-905) Then our Saviour, the Almighty Lord, decreed unto


s: the serpent, the guilty snake, an endless wandering, and said:


s: (ll. 906-917) "All thy life upon thy belly shalt thou go to and


s: fro upon the fields of the broad earth, accursed, so long as life


s: of thy life for the grievous evil thou hast wrought.  The woman


s: shall loathe and hate thee under heaven.  Her foot shall crush


s: thy head, and thou shalt bruise her heel anew.  There shall be


s: strife between your seed for ever, while the world standeth under


s: (ll. 918-924) And unto Eve God spake in wrath: "Turn thee from


s: joy!  Thou shalt live under man's dominion, sore smitten with


s: fear before him.  With bitter sorrow shalt thou expiate thy sin,


s: waiting for death, bringing forth sons and daughters in the world


s: (ll. 925-938) And on Adam the Eternal God, Author of life,


s: pronounced an evil doom: "Thou shalt seek another home, a joyless


s: glory.  Thy soul and body shall be cleft asunder.  Lo!  thou hast


s: portion on the earth by toil, eating thy bread in the sweat of


s: thy brow while thou dwellest here, until that grim disease, which


s: (ll. 939-951) Lo!  now we know how our afflictions came upon us,


s: and mortal misery!  Then the Lord of glory, our Creator, clothed


s: them with garments, and bade them cover their shame with their


s: first raiment.  He drove them forth from Paradise into a narrower


s: closed fast that pleasant home of peace and joy behind them.  No


s: wicked, sinful man may walk therein, but the warden has strength


s: and power, dear unto God in virtue, who guards that life of


s: (ll. 952-964) Yet the Almighty Father would not take away from


s: Adam and from Eve, at once, all goodly things, though He withdrew


s: above them adorned with shining stars, gave them wide-stretching


s: fields, and bade the earth and sea and all their teeming


s: multitudes to bring forth fruits to serve man's earthly need.


s: After their sin they dwelt in a realm more sorrowful, a home and


s: native land less rich in all good things than was their first


s: abode, wherefrom He drove them out after their sin.


s: (ll. 965-987) Then, according to the word of God, Adam and Eve


s: begat children, as God had bidden.  To them were born two goodly


s: sons, Abel and Cain: the books tell us how these brothers, first


s: of toilers, gained wealth and goods and store of food.  One, the


s: first-born, tilled the fields; the other aided with his father's


s: cattle; and after many days they both brought offerings to God.


s: The Prince of angels, Lord of every creature, lifted up His eyes


s: on Abel's offering and would not look upon the gift of Cain.  And


s: burned within him.  Then with his hands Cain wrought a deed of


s: shame, struck down his brother Abel, and poured his blood upon


s: the ground.  The earth drank in his blood poured out in murder.


s: (ll. 987-1001) After that mortal blow came woe and tribulation.


s: From that shoot grew more and more a deadly bitter fruit, and the


s: grievously the twigs of evil touched the sons of men (and do so


s: yet), and from them grew broad blades of wickedness.  With


s: lamentation must we tell that tale of evil fate, not without


s: cause.  Grievous the ruin the lovely woman wrought us by that


s: first of sins that ever men on earth had sinned against their


s: Maker since Adam first was filled with breath from the mouth of


s: (ll. 1002-1005) Then the Lord of glory spake unto Cain, and asked


s: (ll. 1006-1008) "I know not the coming or going of Abel, my


s: kinsman, his lot or portion; I was not my brother's keeper."


s: (ll. 1008-1021) And the Gracious Spirit, Lord of angels, made


s: answer unto him: "Why hast thou slain that faithful man thy


s: brother in thy wrath, and his blood calleth and crieth unto Me?


s: Accursed for ever, driven into exile, thou shalt be punished for


s: this deed of death!  The earth shall not yield thee of her


s: pleasant fruits for thy daily need, but by thy hands her soil is


s: stained with holy blood.  Therefore the green earth shall


s: withhold from thee her beauty and her delights.  In sadness and


s: dishonour shalt thou depart from thy home, because thou hast


s: slain thy brother, Abel.  Loathed of thy kinsmen, an exile and a


s: fugitive, shalt thou wander on the face of the earth."


s: look for pity in this world, High King of heaven, for I have lost


s: wander, in dread of woe, whenever one shall meet me in my guilt,


s: near or far, and by his hate remind me of my brother's death.  I


s: shed his blood and poured his life-blood on the ground.  From


s: this day hast Thou cut me off from good!  Thou scourgest me from


s: home!  Some cruel foe shall slay me.  And I must needs go forth,


s: (ll. 1036-1043) And the Lord of victory said unto him: "Thou


s: needest not yet dread death, nor the pangs of death, though thou


s: shalt wander, far from kinsmen, with thy doom upon thee.  If any


s: man shall slay thee with his hands, on him shall fall a


s: seven-fold vengeance, and torment for that deed of sin."


s: (ll. 1043-1054) And God, the Lord of glory, set a mark upon him


s: and a token, lest any foe from far or near should dare to lift


s: his hand against him; and He bade him go forth in his guilt from


s: mother and kinsmen and from all his tribe.  Then with despairing


s: heart, a friendless exile, Cain departed out of the sight of God,


s: father's house; and there a comely maiden bare him children after


s: (ll. 1055-1073) Enoch was first-born of the sons of Cain.  He


s: built a city with his kinsmen, the first of all those strongholds


s: sons were born to him.  Irad was first-born of the sons of Enoch;


s: increased.  And after Irad Mahalaleel was warden of the treasure,


s: the treasure to his brothers and his kinsmen, man for man, till,


s: (ll. 1073-1081) And at his father's death Lamech succeeded to the


s: called Jabal; and he was first of all men by his skill to stir


s: the harp to music and its strings to song.


s: (ll. 1082-1089) And there was also in that tribe another son of


s: Lamech, called Tubal Cain, a smith skilled in his craft.  He was


s: the first of all men on the earth to fashion tools of husbandry;


s: and far and wide the city-dwelling sons of men made use of bronze


s: (ll. 1090-1103) Then to his two beloved wives, Adah and Zillah,


s: Lamech rehearsed a tale of shame: "I have struck down a kinsman


s: unto death!  I have defiled my hands with the blood of Cain!  I


s: smote down Enoch's father, slayer of Abel, and poured his blood


s: upon the ground.  Full well I know that for that mortal deed


s: shall come God's seven-fold vengeance.  With fearful torment


s: shall my deed of death and murder be requited, when I go hence."


s: (ll. 1104-1111) Then another son was born to Adam in Abel's


s: stead; and his name was Seth.  He was a righteous son and


s: blessed, a solace to his parents, his father and mother, Adam and


s: (ll. 1111-1116) "The eternal God of victory, the Lord of life,


s: hath vouchsafed me another son in place of my beloved whom Cain


s: slew.  So our Lord hath stilled the sorrow of my heart.  To Him


s: (ll. 1117-1127) Now, when Adam begat another son to be his heir,


s: that sturdy man had lived an hundred and thirty winters of this


s: life in the world.  The writings tell us that Adam increased his


s: tribe on earth, begetting sons and daughters eight hundred years.


s: (ll. 1128-1142) And Seth succeeded Adam: at his father's death


s: the well-loved son possessed the treasure, and took himself a


s: wife.  And Seth lived an hundred and five winters in the world


s: and increased his tribe, begetting sons and daughters.  Enos was


s: first-born of the sons of Seth; and he was first of all the sons


s: of men to call upon the name of God since Adam, first a living


s: spirit, set foot on the green earth.  Seth prospered, eight


s: hundred and seven winters begetting sons and daughters.  And all


s: the years of Seth were nine hundred and twelve winters, and he


s: (ll. 1143-1154) And after he went hence, and the earth received


s: the body of seed-bearing Seth, Enos was warden of the heritage.


s: Dear was he unto God!  He lived for ninety winters in the world,


s: and begat children.  And Cainan was first-born of the sons of


s: Enos.  Eight hundred and fifteen winters the man of wisdom lived,


s: years of Enos were nine hundred and five winters, and he died.


s: (ll. 1155-1166) And after Enos Cainan ruled the tribe as lord and


s: born unto his house, and his name was Mahalaleel.  Eight hundred


s: and forty winters Cainan lived, and increased his tribe.  And all


s: and he died, and his appointed days beneath the heavens were


s: (ll. 1167-1180) And after Cainan Mahalaleel possessed the land


s: and treasure many a year.  The prince lived five-and-sixty


s: winters, and begat a son.  An heir was born unto his house, and


s: his kinsmen called him Jared, as I have heard.  Mahalaleel lived


s: long, enjoying bliss on earth, the joys of men, and worldly


s: treasure.  And all the years of Mahalaleel were eight hundred


s: five-and-ninety winters, and he died, and gave the land and rule


s: (ll. 1180-1196) A long time Jared dealt out gold to men.  He was


s: a righteous prince, a noble earl, dear to his kinsmen  He lived


s: an hundred five-and-sixty winters in the world, and, when her


s: time was come, his wife brought forth her first-born, a goodly


s: son.  And his name was Enoch.  Eight hundred years his father


s: lived, and increased his tribe.  And all the years of Jared were


s: nine hundred five-and-sixty winters, and he died, and gave the


s: land and rule unto his son, the wise and well-loved prince.


s: (ll. 1197-1217) And Enoch ruled the folk, led them in ways of


s: peace, and no wise let his sway and power lessen, while he was


s: lord over his kinsmen.  Now Enoch prospered and increased his


s: tribe three hundred years.  And God, the Lord of heaven, was


s: gracious unto him!  In his natural body he entered into heavenly


s: joy and the glory of God, dying no mortal death as men do here,


s: the young and old, what time God taketh from them wealth and


s: substance and earthly treasure and their life; but with the King


s: of angels he departed still alive out of this fleeting life, in


s: the same vestments which his soul received before his mother bare


s: (ll. 1217-1224) Then Methuselah held sway among his kinsmen, and


s: longest of all men enjoyed the pleasures of this world.  He begat


s: years of Methuselah were nine hundred and seventy winters, and he


s: (ll. 1224-1236) And Lamech, his son, succeeded him and kept the


s: treasure.  Long time he ruled the land.  He lived an hundred and


s: two winters, and begat children.  And the lord and leader of the


s: folk lived five hundred five-and-ninety years, enjoying many


s: winters under heaven, ruling the folk with wisdom.  And Lamech


s: increased his tribe, begetting sons and daughters.  He called the


s: (ll. 1237-1247) Now Noah, the lord of men, lived five hundred


s: winters, as the books say, and begat children.  The first-born


s: And the folk grew in number under heaven, and the multitude of


s: the race of men increased throughout the earth.  The tribe of


s: Seth, the well-loved prince, was still exceeding dear to God, and


s: (ll. 1248-1254) Then the sons of God began to take them wives


s: from the tribe of Cain, a cursed folk, and the sons of men chose


s: them wives from among that people, the fair and winsome daughters


s: heaven lifted up His voice in wrath against mankind, and said:


s: (ll. 1255-1262) "Lo!  I have not been unmindful of the sons of


s: men, but the tribe of Cain hath sorely angered Me.  The sons of


s: Seth have stirred My wrath against them; they have taken them


s: wives from among the daughters of My foes.  Woman's beauty and


s: woman's grace and the eternal fiend have taken hold upon this


s: (ll. 1263-1284) An hundred and twenty numbered winters in the


s: world that fated folk were busied in evil.  Then the Lord


s: resolved to punish those faithless spirits, and slay the sinful


s: giant sons, undear to God, those huge, unholy scathers, loathsome


s: wickedness of men on earth, and saw that they were bold in sin


s: and full of wiles.  He resolved to bring destruction on the


s: tribes of men, and smite mankind with heavy hand.  It repented


s: Him exceedingly that He had made man, and the first of men, when


s: He created Adam.  He said that for the sins of men He would lay


s: waste the earth, and all that was upon the earth, destroying


s: every living thing that breathed the breath of life.  All this


s: would the Lord destroy in the days that were coming on the sons


s: (ll. 1285-1295) But Noah, the son of Lamech, was good and dear to


s: virtue flourished in the heart of Noah.  Wherefore God, the Holy


s: Lord of every creature, spake unto Noah, declaring His wrath and


s: vengeance on the sons of men.  For He saw that the earth was full


s: and defiled with uncleanness.  And the Lord our God spake unto


s: (ll. 1296-1313) "I will destroy this people with a flood, man and


s: nourish, birds of the air and beasts of the field.  But thou, and


s: dark, destroying floods, shall overwhelm the hosts of sinful men.


s: abiding-room for many, and set a rightful place for every tribe


s: of earth.  Build floors within the ark, dividing it in stories.


s: And thou shalt build it three hundred cubits long and fifty


s: cubits wide and thirty cubits high, and fasten it firmly against


s: the might of the waves.  And thou shalt take within the ark the


s: seed of every living thing, and the offspring of all flesh upon


s: the earth.  And the ark must hold them all."


s: (ll. 1314-1319) And Noah did according as God commanded him.  He


s: hearkened unto the Holy King of heaven, and began straightway to


s: build the ark, a mighty sea-chest.  And unto his kinsmen he


s: proclaimed destruction coming upon men, and bitter vengeance.


s: (ll. 1320-1326) Then after many winters the Faithful Lord beheld


s: the greatest of ocean-houses, Noah's vessel, towering up, made


s: tight with the best of pitch within and without against the


s: floods.  And it was best of all its kind, growing more hard the


s: more the rough waves and the black sea-streams beat up against


s: (ll. 1328-1355) "I give thee My pledge, dearest of men, that thou


s: thou shalt ferry through the deep water for many a day in the


s: bosom of the ship.  Lead on board the ark, as I bid thee, thy


s: household, thy wife and thy three sons, and thy sons' wives with


s: thee.  And take within that sea-home seven of every kind of


s: living thing that serve as food for men, and two of every other


s: kind.  Likewise of all the fruits of the earth take food for the


s: company upon thy ship, who with thee shall be saved from the


s: flood!  Care well for every creature until I shall cause food to


s: grow again beneath the heavens for the survivors of the ocean


s: floods.  Depart now with thy household and thy host of guests,


s: embarking on the ship.  I know that thou art good, and of a


s: steadfast mind.  Thou art worthy of grace and mercy, thou and thy


s: upon the face of the broad earth.  Forty days will I visit My


s: wrath upon men, with a deluge destroying the riches of the world


s: and the tribes of men, save what shall be upon the ark when the


s: (ll. 1356-1371) And Noah departed, as the Lord commanded,


s: embarking his household upon the ark, leading up his sons into


s: the ship, and their wives with them.  All that Almighty God would


s: food-giver, even according as the Mighty Lord of hosts gave


s: bidding by His word.  And the Warden of that heavenly kingdom,


s: the God of victories, locked the door of the ocean-house behind


s: him with His hands, and our Lord blessed all within the ark with


s: His blessing.  Now Noah, the son of Lamech, had lived six hundred


s: men, his beloved sons, into the ark, as God gave bidding.


s: (ll. 1371-1399) Then the Lord sent the rains from heaven, and


s: caused the black sea-streams to roar, and the fountains of the


s: deep to overflow the world.  The seas surged up over the barriers


s: And He overwhelmed and covered the mortal sons of sin with a


s: black deluge, laying waste the native land and homes of men.  God


s: the sea laid hold on that doomed folk.  Dire was that disaster


s: and deadly unto men.  The stormy surges of the King of glory


s: quenched the life from out the bodies of that sinful host.  The


s: flood, raging beneath the heavens, covered over all high hills


s: throughout the spacious earth, and lifted up the ark from the


s: earth upon the bosom of the waters, and all within the ark, whom


s: the Lord our God had blessed when He locked the door of the ship.


s: floated beneath the heavens over the compass of the sea.  The


s: raging terrors of the deep might not lay hold on ship or


s: mariners, but Holy God ferried them upon the sea and shielded


s: them.  Fifteen cubits deep upon the hills the deluge lay.  That


s: (ll. 1400-1406) But no harm came nigh unto the ark, save that it


s: was lifted up to heaven, when the flood destroyed all creatures


s: on the earth; but Holy God, the Eternal King, the Lord of heaven,


s: (ll. 1407-1412) And God, the Lord of victory, was mindful of


s: those mariners, of the son of Lamech, and all the living things


s: which the Author of life and light had locked within the bosom of


s: (ll. 1412-1421) Then the welling floods began to lessen and the


s: black tides ebbed beneath the heavens.  The Just God turned the


s: waters again from His children and stilled the downpour of the


s: rains.  Foamy-necked the ship fared on an hundred and fifty


s: nights beneath the heavens, after the flood had lifted up that


s: best of vessels with its well-nailed sides--until at last the


s: appointed number of the days of wrath were passed away.


s: (ll. 1421-1430) And the ark of Noah, the greatest of seahomes,


s: with its burden, rested high upon the hills which are called


s: Armenia.  There the holy son of Lamech waited many days for God's


s: Lord Almighty, would give him respite from the perils he had


s: suffered while the black waves bore him far and wide upon the


s: (ll. 1431-1448) The floods receded, and those sea-tossed men,


s: together with their wives, longed for the hour when they might


s: leave their narrow home, and step across the well-nailed sides


s: upon the shore, and from their prison lead out their possessions.


s: seafloods yet were ebbing under heaven.  After many days, while


s: the high hills yet harboured the seed and treasure of the tribes


s: of earth, the son of Lamech let a dusky raven fly forth from the


s: ark over the deep flood.  And Noah was sure that in its need, if


s: so be it should find no land upon this journey, the raven would


s: return to him again within the ark across the wide water.  But


s: Noah's hope failed him!  Exulting the raven perched upon the


s: floating bodies of the dead; the black-winged bird would not


s: (ll. 1449-1463) And seven days after the dusky raven he let a


s: grey dove fly forth from the ark across the deep water, making


s: trial whether the high and foaming floods had yet receded from


s: any region of the green earth.  Widely she sought her heart's


s: desire, circling afar, but nowhere finding rest.  Because of the


s: floods she might not set foot upon the land, nor settle on the


s: branch of any tree because of the ocean-streams.  The high hills


s: were covered by the deep.  And so at evening over the dusky wave


s: the wild bird sought the ark, settling hungry and weary into the


s: (ll. 1464-1476) And again after seven days a second dove was sent


s: a refuge and a pleasant resting-place, and settled in a tree.


s: Blithe of heart, she rejoiced that in her weariness she might


s: find rest upon its pleasant branches.  She shook her feathers and


s: tree with its green blades.  And the prince of shipmen knew that


s: comfort was at hand, and a requital of their toilsome voyage.


s: (ll. 1476-1482) And again after seven days the blessed man sent


s: forth a third wild dove.  And she flew not back unto the ark, but


s: again would she appear under the black roof of the ark.  Nor was


s: (ll. 1483-1484) Then our Lord, the Warden of the heavenly


s: kingdom, with holy word spake unto Noah:


s: (ll. 1485-1492) "For thee again on earth a fair abiding-place is


s: (ll. 1493-1511) And Noah hearkened unto God with great rejoicing,


s: the shore, and led forth from the ark all who had survived that


s: time of woe.  Then Noah, wise of counsel, began to offer


s: sacrifice to God.  And for an offering he took a part of all his


s: goods which God had given him to enjoy, and, great in wisdom and


s: in glory, made sacrifice to God, the King of angels.  And


s: straightway our Lord made known that He had blessed Noah, and


s: Noah's children, because he had offered that thank-offering, and


s: in his youth by good deeds had deserved the bounteous mercies


s: which Almighty God in majesty bestowed upon him.  And God, the


s: Lord of glory, spake unto Noah and said:


s: delighting in peace.  Fill all the earth with your increase.  To


s: you is given the home of your fathers, dominion over the fish of


s: the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts of the field,


s: over all the green earth and its teeming herds.  Never shall ye


s: eat in blood your shameful feasts through sin defiled with blood.


s: slay another with the sword.  Verily!  in no wise shall his heart


s: avenge man's life upon his murderer, because his sword hath


s: prospered in violence and blood, and his hands in death.  Man was


s: and of the angels, whoso will keep My holy laws.


s: (ll. 1532-1542) "Be fruitful and multiply, enjoying grace on


s: earth and every pleasant thing.  Fill all the regions of the


s: earth with your increase, your issue, and your seed.  And unto


s: you I give My covenant that never again will I bring the waters


s: upon the earth or a flood on the wide-stretching land.  Oft shall


s: forth My rainbow, that I will keep this covenant with men while


s: (ll. 1543-1554) And the wise son of Lamech, the warden of wealth,


s: and Olliva, and Ollivani.  The Faithful Lord had saved them to


s: survive the flood.  And Noah's stout-hearted sons were Shem and


s: and all the earth was filled with the sons of men.


s: (ll. 1555-1561) Then a second time Noah began to establish a home


s: wrought and planted a vineyard and sowed seed, and laboured that


s: the green earth might bring forth her shining harvests, her


s: (ll. 1562-1576) And it came to pass upon a time that the blessed


s: man lay drunk with wine in his dwelling, and slumbered heavy with


s: heart within him in its holy house.  But his soul was fast bound


s: in slumber, so that in his stupor he might not cover himself with


s: what time the thane of glory with a sword of fire behind our


s: first great parents locked the gates of life.


s: (ll. 1577-1588) Then Ham, the son of Noah, went in where his lord


s: nor cover his shame.  But he laughed, and told his brothers how


s: their lord lay sleeping in his home.  And straightway, covering


s: their faces with their cloaks, they went in unto the well-beloved


s: (ll. 1588-1603) Then the son of Lamech awoke from his slumber,


s: and learned that Ham had failed to show him reverence or love


s: when he had greatest need.  And the holy man was grieved in his


s: heart, and set a curse upon his son, saying that Ham should be an


s: And the curse lay heavy upon him and on all his tribe.  And Noah


s: and his sons as freemen ruled a wide-stretching realm for three


s: hundred and fifty winters of this life, after the flood.  Then he


s: hearth-band of sons and daughters.  He was a godly man, enjoying


s: bliss and blessing with his children, until his soul within his


s: breast, ready to depart, must needs go forth unto the glory of


s: among his friends and kinsmen, near and dear.  And no little


s: portion of the earth was filled with their increase.


s: (ll. 1616-1628) Likewise sons were born unto Ham.  The names of


s: the eldest were called Cush and Ham, two goodly youths, his


s: first-born sons.  And Cush was ruler of his tribe, dispensing joy


s: body.  He ruled his tribe and gave them laws until his days were


s: run.  Then he gave over earthly riches and sought another life


s: held his ancestral seat.  The writings tell us that of all men


s: then alive his strength and power were greatest.  He was lord of


s: the kingdom of Babylon, and first of princes to exalt her glory.


s: He enlarged her borders and brought her fame.


s: (ll. 1637-1639) Now there was yet one common tongue for all men


s: on the earth.  And a great tribe was born of the stem of Ham and


s: (ll. 1640-1660) And Shem begat a host of free-born sons and


s: daughters, and, after many winters, went to his last rest.  In


s: that tribe men were good!  One of the sons of Shem was Eber, and


s: from him sprang a countless race which all men dwelling in the


s: earth call Hebrews.  They departed out of the east, taking with


s: them all their substance, their cattle and their goods.  That was


s: folk, in mighty multitudes, and chose at last a fixed abode


s: wherein to settle.  Far and wide in days of old the leaders of


s: that people, with their well-loved men, possessed the land of


s: Shinar, a land of green plains and pleasant valleys.  And at that


s: (ll. 1661-1678) Then many a man besought his friend, and one


s: stout warrior urged another, that, before their multitude and the


s: their glory and rear a tower unto the stars of heaven, to be a


s: sign that they had sought the land of Shinar, where of old the


s: mighty leaders of the folk had lived at ease.  And they sought


s: out men for this work and deed of sin, in rash pride showing


s: forth their strength.  Greedy for glory, they reared a city with


s: their hands, and raised a ladder up to heaven, and in their vain


s: strength built a wall of stone beyond the measure of men.


s: (ll. 1678-1701) Then came Holy God to look upon the work of the


s: children of men, the citadel and the tower which the sons of Adam


s: reproved their folly, and in His wrath confounded the tongues of


s: the dwellers of earth, and they might not prosper in their


s: speech.  Then the leaders of the work in pride of strength met


s: together about the tower in many bands.  But no one band could


s: understand another.  And they left off to build the wall of


s: stone, and were wretchedly sundered into tribes divided by their


s: speech.  And every tribe became alien to every other tribe, when


s: the Lord in His might sundered the speech of men.  So the divided


s: behind them the steadfast tower of stone, and the high citadel,


s: stood unfinished together in the land of Shinar.


s: (ll. 1702-1718) Now the tribe of Shem increased and flourished


s: under heaven.  And a certain man of that tribe, of thoughtful


s: heart and given to virtue, had noble children.  Two goodly sons


s: were born to him, and bred in Babylon, great-hearted princes


s: named Abraham and Haran.  And the Lord of angels was their guide


s: and friend.  Now Haran had a noble son, whose name was Lot.  And


s: Abraham and Lot throve excellently before the Lord as was their


s: nature from their elders.  Wherefore men proclaim their virtues


s: (ll. 1719-1729) Then was the time fulfilled, and Abraham brought


s: a wife unto his home, a fair and comely woman to his dwelling.


s: And her name was Sarah, as the writings tell us.  Many a winter


s: they enjoyed the world, prospering in peace for many a year.  But


s: him children, or an heir unto his house.


s: (ll. 1730-1743) And Abraham's father went out with his household,


s: land of Canaan.  And Abraham and Lot, his kinsmen, dear to God,


s: departed with him out of that country.  The noble sons of men


s: chose them a dwelling in the land of Haran, and their wives with


s: them.  And Abraham's father, the faithful, died in that land.


s: And all his years were two hundred and five winters, and he


s: (ll. 1744-1766) Then the Holy Warden of the heavenly kingdom,


s: Eternal God, said unto Abraham: "Go forth from this place, and


s: lead thy household and thy cattle with thee.  Get thee out of the


s: thee, dearest of men; hearken to My teachings, and seek the land


s: of green, wide-stretching plains, which I shall show thee.


s: Blessed shalt thou live in My protection.  If any of the dwellers


s: them that honour thee will I be gracious and give them all their


s: heart's desire.  Through thee all nations dwelling in the earth


s: shall have My peace and friendship, My bliss and blessing in the


s: world.  The number of thy tribe, thy sons and daughters, shall be


s: (ll. 1767-1786) And Abraham, great in virtue and blessed with


s: gold and silver, departed with much substance out of the land of


s: Haran, leading his herds and his possessions, even unto the


s: victory, commanded by His word, and sought a dwelling in the land


s: and his wife with him, the dear companion of his bed, and the


s: wife of his brother's son.  And his years were five-and-seventy


s: winters when he went out from the land of Haran, and from his


s: kinsmen.  And Abraham was mindful of the words of the Almighty


s: Father, and journeyed through all the borders of that people, at


s: his Lord's behest, to view the land afar, and came at last in


s: safety, with undaunted heart, to Sichem and the Canaanites.  And


s: the Just Lord, the King of angels, revealed Himself to Abraham


s: (ll. 1787-1790) "This is the roomy land, the beautiful, green


s: realm, adorned with increase, which I will give thy seed to


s: (ll. 1790-1804) And there the prince builded an altar to the


s: Lord, and offered up a sacrifice to God, the Lord of life,


s: Protector of all souls.  And Abraham departed again out of the


s: east to view with his eyes this best of lands (and he was mindful


s: victory, had given by His holy word) until they came with their


s: multitudes unto a village called Bethel.  Out of the east their


s: leader, blithe of heart, and his brother's son, Godfearing men,


s: journeyed with all their substance through far-famed lands, and


s: over high, steep hills, and chose a dwelling where the fields


s: (ll. 1805-1810) And again Abraham builded an altar, calling


s: earnestly on God, and offered sacrifice unto the Lord of life.


s: And God was gracious, and with unsparing hand granted him reward


s: (ll. 1811-1823) And for a time thereafter the prince abode in his


s: hunger, grim as death to men within their homes.  Then Abraham,


s: seek a place of refuge.  The faithful hero fled from that


s: affliction; too bitter was the woe.  And, in the wisdom of his


s: heart, when he beheld the gabled palaces and high-walled towns of


s: beauty, maiden of elfin grace!  And if one look upon thee with


s: desire, thinking thou art my wife, I fear lest, in his longing


s: for thy love, some foe may slay me with the sword.  Therefore,


s: Sarah, say thou art my sister and my kin, if any stranger


s: question what the bond may be between us two of alien race and


s: distant home.  Conceal the truth!  So shalt thou save my life if


s: God, our Lord Almighty, who sent us on this journey, that we


s: grant me His protection as of old, and longer life."


s: (ll. 1844-1872) So Abraham, the dauntless earl, came journeying


s: and friends unknown.  And many a proud earl, great in glory,


s: found the woman fair; to many a bold thanes of the king she


s: seemed of royal beauty; and this they told their lord.  They


s: little thought of any fairer maid, but praised the winsome


s: loveliness of Sarah more highly to their prince, until he bade


s: them bring the lovely woman to his hall.  And the lord of men,


s: dispenser of treasure, bade them show honour upon Abraham.  But


s: the Lord God visited His anger upon Pharaoh because of his love


s: of the woman; bitterly the prince of men atoned, and all his


s: household.  He knew why the Lord afflicted him with plagues!


s: afraid; and he gave him his wife again and his consort, and bade


s: him seek friends elsewhere, other princes and another folk.  And


s: he bade his thanes and serving men conduct him, uninjured and


s: with honour, out from among that people, that he might be at


s: (ll. 1873-1889) So Abraham took his possessions and went out from


s: Bethel to their olden dwellings again, wife and wealth and


s: worldly treasure.  They began to build there, to found a city,


s: and renew their halls and establish a home.  And they builded an


s: altar in the plain near that which Abraham had built aforetime to


s: Lord, offering sacrifice unto the Prince of angels, and giving


s: thanks abundantly unto the Lord of life for all His grace and


s: (ll. 1890-1900) Then Abraham and Lot abode in that place, having


s: the fullness of their desires, enjoying bliss, until no longer


s: could they prosper in that land together, with their possessions,


s: dwelling-place.  For often quarrels rose between the followers of


s: Abraham, mindful of honour, spake fairly unto Lot:


s: (ll. 1900-1919) "I am thy father's brother in blood kinship, and


s: thou my brother's son.  No strife shall rise, no feud grow up,


s: between us two.  God will not suffer that.  We two are kinsmen;


s: naught else shall there be between us save goodness and enduring


s: love.  Now, Lot, take thought how strong men dwell about our


s: borders, mighty tribes with thanes and allies, men of valour, the


s: will not give us of their land!  Therefore let us go forth from


s: this place, and seek out roomier fields.  I give good counsel,


s: son of Haran, for us both, and speak the truth.  I give thee


s: choice, my son!  Take thought, and ponder in thy heart on which


s: hand thou wilt bend thy course, thou and thy cattle.  The choice


s: (ll. 1920-1944) Then Lot departed to view the green earth and the


s: covered with pleasant fruits, bright with running streams, and


s: like the Paradise of God before our Lord gave over Sodom and


s: Gomorrah unto fire and black flame, because of the sins of men.


s: And there the son of Haran chose him a dwelling and a settlement


s: in the city of Sodom.  And thither he took from Bethel all his


s: substance, rings and household treasure and riches and twisted


s: gold.  And he abode by Jordan many a year.  The place was fair,


s: but those that dwelt therein were impious and hateful unto God.


s: The race of Sodomites were bold in sin, in deeds perverse,


s: working eternal folly.  Lot would not adopt the customs of that


s: people, but turned him from their practices, their sin and shame,


s: spotless and of patient heart among that people, mindful of God's


s: (ll. 1945-1959) And Abraham abode thenceforth in the dwellings of


s: baptism, exalt his praise full widely under heaven.  He served


s: the Lord with gladness while he lived on earth, holy and wise of


s: heart.  Never need any man lack shelter or defence, nor be afraid


s: (ll. 1960-1972) Then, as I have heard, Chedorlaomer, king of the


s: Elamires, a bold folk-captain, marshalled an army, and Amraphel


s: of Shinar and a mighty host were joined with him.  Four kings


s: with a great multitude departed into the south against Sodom and


s: Gomorrah.  And all the land about Jordan was overrun with armed


s: men and hostile bands.  Many a trembling maiden, pale with fear,


s: must needs endure a foe's embrace.  Many a warrior perished, sick


s: (ll. 1973-1989) Against them from the south five kings went forth


s: that folk had given toll and tribute to the Northmen, and would


s: no more enrich the lord of Elam with their treasure, but they


s: rebelled against him.  Onward the hosts advanced, intent on


s: death.  (Loud sang the javelins.)  Amid the spears the blackbird,


s: steadfast hearts, the warriors hastened till the hosts were


s: gathered from afar, from south and north, helmeted men.


s: (ll. 1989-2003) Then was hard hand-play; crashing of weapons,


s: storming of death-darts, tumult of battle.  From out the sheaths


s: men snatched their ring-decked, keen-edged swords.  There might


s: an earl have his fill of fighting, whoso was not yet sated with


s: war.  The Northmen smote the people of the south.  In the shock


s: of shields the men of Sodom and Gomorrah, dispensers of gold,


s: lost many a well-loved comrade.  And they fled away from the


s: place of battle and saved their lives.  Behind them, slain with


s: spears and smitten with the swordedge, their well-loved comrades,


s: (ll. 2003-2017) And the lord of Elam had the victory, and held


s: the place of battle; and those who escaped the sword fled away to


s: splendid treasure-cities, Sodom and Gomorrah.  Women were torn


s: from their sheltering homes, widow and maid, bereft of friends.


s: And the foe led Abraham's kinsman captive out of the city of


s: Sodom, with all his substance.  But truly may we tell these war


s: wolves' fate after the battle, boasting their victory, leading


s: Lot captive away, and with him the goods of the people and gold


s: (ll. 2018-2038) For a certain man who survived the battle and the


s: the disaster, the fate of Lot, and how the men of Sodom, and


s: their strength, were sorely smitten.  And Abraham told these


s: tidings to his friends; the faithful man besought his well-loved


s: comrades, Aner and Mamre and Eshcol, to bear him aid, saying that


s: his brother's son should suffer thraldom.  He bade those valiant


s: men devise a plan to free his kinsman, and his wife with him.


s: And quickly the three brothers spake, and healed the sorrow of


s: his heart with manful words, and pledged their faith to Abraham


s: to aid him, and avenge his wrath upon his foes, or fall in death.


s: (ll. 2039-2059) Then the holy man bade his hearth-retainers take


s: their weapons.  Three hundred and eighteen wielders of the ashen


s: spear he gathered, loyal-hearted men, of whom he knew that each


s: would stoutly bear his linden shield to battle.  And Abraham went


s: with a great company of their people.  He would fain redeem his


s: kinsman, Lot, from his distress.  Brave were the warriors,


s: stoutly bearing their bucklers upon the march.  And when these


s: war-wolves had journeyed nigh unto the camp, the son of Terah,


s: wise of heart, bespake his captains (great was his need that they


s: the foe) and said that easily the Holy, Everlasting Lord could


s: speed their fortunes in the spear-strife.


s: (ll. 2060-2083) Then, in the shades of night, as I have heard,


s: the warriors dared the battle.  In the camp rose din of shields


s: and spears, death of bowmen, crash of battle arrows.  Bitterly


s: the sharp spears pierced the hearts of men.  In throngs their


s: foemen, warriors and comrades, fell in death, where laughing they


s: the strife of the Northmen.  No twisted gold did Abraham offer in


s: foe in war.  And the Lord of heaven smote in his behalf.  Four


s: armies fled, the kings and captains of the folk.  Behind them lay


s: track lay those who sacked the homes of Sodom and Gomorrah, and


s: bore away the young men and the gold.  Lot's uncle gave them grim


s: glory, continued in flight until they came nigh unto Damascus.


s: (ll. 2083-2095) Then Abraham betook him to the track of their


s: retreat, and beheld the flight of the foe.  Lot was redeemed, and


s: the field of slaughter the birds were tearing at the bodies of


s: those foemen of the free.  And Abraham brought the treasure of


s: the Southmen, their wives and children, unto their homes again,


s: and maidens to their kinsmen. Never did any man of living men


s: with tiny band go forth more worthily to battle than those who


s: (ll. 2096-2106) Southward the tidings of battle were borne to the


s: the folk, bereft of earls and desolate of friends, went out unto


s: Abraham, to meet him.  And with him journeyed Salem's


s: treasure-warden, Melchizedek the mighty, the bishop of the folk.


s: He came with gifts, gave Abraham fair greeting, the lord of armed


s: (ll. 2107-2120) "Well hast thou borne thee among men, before His


s: eyes who gave thee glory in the battle--that is, God the Lord,


s: who brake the power of thy foes, and let thee hew thy way to


s: safety with the sword, regain the spoil, and fell thine enemies.


s: They perished in the track of their retreat.  The marching host


s: throve not in battle, but God put them to flight.  With His hands


s: battle because of the holy covenant which thou dost keep with the


s: (ll. 2121-2125) And the prince laid his hand upon him and blessed


s: bishop of God.  Then unto Abraham spake the battle-king, the


s: prince of Sodom, bereft of his warriors (he had need of favour):


s: (ll. 2126-2135) "Restore me now the maidens of my people whom


s: thou hast rescued with thy host from evil bondage.  Keep thou the


s: let me lead again in freedom to their native land and wasted


s: dwellings the children of my people, the women and lads and


s: widows in their affliction.  Our sons are dead and all our


s: nobles, save a few only who must guard with me the marches of our


s: (ll. 2136-2138) And straightway, crowned with valour and victory


s: and glory, Abraham made answer before the earls.  Right nobly


s: (ll. 2139-2160) "I say to thee, O prince of men, before the Holy


s: Lord of earth and heaven, there is no worldly treasure I will


s: take, nor scot nor shilling of what I have redeemed for thee


s: among the bowmen, great prince and lord of men, lest that thou


s: afterward shouldest say that I grew rich with the riches of Sodom


s: of these lordly men, of Aner, and of Mamre, and of Eshcol.  I


s: will not willingly deprive these warriors of their right, for


s: they upheld me in the shock of battle and fought to thine


s: advantage.  Depart now, taking home the well-wrought gold, and


s: lovely maidens, the daughters of thy people.  Thou needest not to


s: blood-stained birds of prey are resting on the mountain slopes,


s: (ll. 2161-2167) Then the king departed to his home with the booty


s: And the Lord of heaven appeared again unto Abraham, comforting


s: the noble man of heart with holy speech, and said:


s: (ll. 2168-2172) "Great shall be thy reward!  Let not thy heart be


s: thou wilt keep My precepts, but I will shield thee with My hands,


s: (ll. 2173-2186) And Abraham, full of years and noble deeds, made


s: answer to his Lord and asked: "What comfort canst Thou give me,


s: Lord of spirits, who am thus desolate?  No need have I to heap up


s: enjoy my wealth.  Thou grantest me no son, and therefore sorrow


s: presseth on my heart.  I can devise no counsel.  My steward goeth


s: heart that after me his sons shall be my heirs.  He seeth that no


s: (ll. 2187-2215) And straightway God made answer unto him: "Never


s: shall son of thy steward inherit thy goods; but thine own son


s: shall have thy treasure when thy flesh lieth cold.  Behold the


s: spacious sea.  So shall thy tribe be and thy seed for number.


s: Let not thy heart be troubled.  Yet shall thy wife conceive and


s: bear a son, great in goodness, to be warden of thy wealth, when


s: thou art gone.  Be not cast down.  I am the Lord who, many a year


s: but a few, and gave thee this wide realm to rule.  I give thee


s: now My promise, prince of Hebrews, thy seed shall settle many a


s: borders even unto Euphrates, and where the Nile hems in a mighty


s: land and the sea limits it.  All this shall thy sons inhabit;


s: each tract and tribal realm and lofty stone-built city,


s: whatsoever those three waters and their foaming floods encircle


s: (ll. 2216-2219) Now Sarah's heart was heavy that she bare no


s: goodly son to gladden Abraham; with bitter grief she spake unto


s: (ll. 2220-2233) "The Lord of heaven hath denied me to increase


s: thy tribe, or bear thee children under heaven.  I have no hope


s: that we shall have a son to stay our house.  My heart is sad.  My


s: the Lord will send an heir unto thy house."


s: (ll. 2234-2246) And the blessed man gave ear unto the woman's


s: counsels, and bade his handmaid go unto his bed, according as his


s: and her heart grew arrogant.  She stubbornly began to vex her


s: mistress, was insolent, insulting, evil-hearted, and would not


s: willingly be subject to her, but straightway entered into strife


s: with Sarah.  Then, as I have heard, the woman told her sorrow to


s: (ll. 2247-2255) "Thou hast not done me right or justice!  Since


s: first my handmaid, Hagar, knew thy bed, according as I counselled


s: But her atonement shall be bitter if I may still rule over my own


s: (ll. 2256-2260) And straightway Abraham, wise of heart, made


s: answer: "Never will I let thee be dishonoured while we two live.


s: But thou shalt deal with thine handmaid even according as it


s: (ll. 2261-2270) Then was the wife of Abraham hard of heart and


s: hostile-minded, ruthless, and merciless against her handmaid, and


s: and oppression, and would not brook punishment or retribution for


s: (ll. 2273-2279) And straightway she answered him: "Devoid of all


s: good things, in misery, I fled away out of my dwelling, from the


s: hate of my lady, from injury and wrong.  Here in the wilderness


s: with tear-stained face I shall abide my doom, when from my heart


s: grim hunger or the wolf shall tear my soul and sorrow."


s: (ll. 2280-2295) And the angel answered her: "Seek not to flee


s: away and leave thy lord, but return again, deserve honour, be of


s: humble heart, constant in virtue, and faithful to thy lord.


s: Thou, Hagar, shalt bring forth a son to Abraham.  And I say unto


s: thee that men shall call him Ishmael.  He shall be terrible, and


s: swift to war; his hand shall be against the tribes of men, his


s: kinsmen.  Many shall war upon him bitterly.  And from that prince


s: seek thy lord, and dwell with them that have thee in possession."


s: (ll. 2296-2305) And she hearkened unto the angel's counsel, and


s: returned again unto her lord, according as the holy messenger of


s: God commanded in words of wisdom.  And Abraham had lived for


s: six-and-eighty winters in the world when Ishmael was born.  And


s: the boy grew strong and throve according as the angel, the


s: faithful minister of peace, had told the maid.  And after


s: thirteen years the Lord, Eternal God, said unto Abraham:


s: (ll. 2306-2325) "Dearest of men, keep well our covenant as I


s: shall show thee, and I will prosper thee and honour thee in every


s: covenant and pledge I gave thee to thy comfort, because thy soul


s: unto thy people.  I will be lord and shepherd of this folk if ye


s: (ll. 2325-2337) "Do as I bid thee: I will be gracious unto you if


s: for him, but I will grant him grace divine, by My great might,


s: and many a friend.  He shall receive My blessing and My bliss, My


s: a valiant leader, rulers of kingdoms, lords of the world,


s: (ll. 2338-2347) Then Abraham laid his face upon the ground and


s: pondered these sayings in his heart with scorn.  For he deemed


s: that never the day would come when Sarah, his greyhaired wife,


s: would bear a son.  Full well he knew that she had lived an


s: hundred winters in the world.  And full of years he spake unto


s: (ll. 2348-2352) "May Ishmael live according to Thy laws, O Lord,


s: and render Thee a thankful and a steadfast spirit, an earnest


s: heart to do Thy will, by night and day, in word and deed."


s: (ll. 2353-2354) And graciously Eternal God, Almighty Lord, made


s: (ll. 2355-2369) "Yet shall Sarah bear a son, though old in


s: winters, and fate shall be fulfilled according to My word.  I


s: will bless Ishmael, thy firstborn, with My blessing as thou dost


s: ask, that his days may be long in the land, and his race may


s: multiply.  This will I grant thee.  So also will I prosper Isaac,


s: pleasant thing all the days of his life.  And I will surely keep


s: My covenant with him and holy faith, and show him favour."


s: (ll. 2370-2381) And Abraham did even as Eternal God commanded,


s: and, in accordance with his Lord's behest, he set the sign of the


s: token.  He was wise of heart, and mindful of the covenant and


s: pledge which God had given him, and he himself received the


s: glorious sign.  God, the Mighty King, increased his glory in the


s: world.  And he strove in all his ways to work the will of his


s: (ll. 2382-2389) But the woman laughed at the Lord of hosts with


s: derision; full of years, she pondered those sayings in her heart


s: with scorn.  She had no faith that His words would be fulfilled.


s: And when the Lord of heaven heard that in her bower the wife of


s: Abraham laughed in unbelief, then spake the Holy God:


s: (ll. 2390-2398) "Lo!  Sarah trusteth not My word.  Yet all shall


s: be fulfilled according as I promised thee in the beginning.  I


s: tell thee truly, at this self-same season thy wife shall bear a


s: son.  And when I come again unto this dwelling My word shall be


s: fulfilled, and thine eyes shall behold thy son, dear Abraham."


s: (ll. 2399-2407) And alter these words they departed swiftly away


s: from the place of oracle.  The holy spirits turned their steps


s: (and the Prince of light was their companion) till they beheld


s: high Sodom's city-walls.  They saw high halls towering above


s: precious treasure and mansions above ruddy gold.  And the


s: Righteous Lord of heaven held long discourse with Abraham:


s: (ll. 2408-2418) "I hear loud tumult in this city and brawling of


s: sinful men, the boastful words of tipplers drunk with ale, and


s: evil speech of multitudes within their walls.  Heavy are the sins


s: will search out what this people do, O Hebrew prince, and whether


s: tongues speak fraud and guile.  Verily brimstone and black flame,


s: (ll. 2419-2437) And so these men abode their punishment and woe


s: within their walls, and their wives with them.  Proud in their


s: strength, they repaid God evil for good until the Lord of


s: spirits, Prince of life and light, could no longer withhold His


s: wrath.  Stern of heart, God sent two mighty messengers among them


s: man sitting in the gate of the city, even the son of Haran, and


s: they appeared as young men before the eyes of the sage.  Then the


s: greeted them with kindness; he was mindful of what is right and


s: fitting among men, and offered them a shelter for the night.  And


s: (ll. 2438-2440) "We thank thee for the favour thou hast showed


s: us.  Yet do we think to bide here quietly beside this street


s: until the time of the dawn, when God shall send again the sun."


s: (ll. 2441-2453) Then Lot fell at their feet, and knelt upon the


s: ground before his guests, and offered them food and rest, the


s: shelter of his house, and entertainment.  And they accepted the


s: kindness of the prince with thanks, and went in quickly with him


s: unto his dwelling as the Hebrew earl pointed them the way.  And


s: the lordly hero, wise of heart, gave them fair entertainment in


s: his hall, until the evening light vanished away.  Then night


s: came, hard upon the heels of day, and clothed the ocean-streams


s: with darkness, and all the glory of the world, seas and


s: (ll. 2453-2466) Then in great throngs the dwellers of Sodom,


s: young and old, undear to God, came to demand the strangers, in


s: multitudes encompassed Lot about, and his guests.  They bade him


s: lead the holy heralds out from the lofty hall into their power.


s: Shamelessly they said that they would know these men.  Of decency


s: and went forth from his dwelling; the son of Haran, mindful of


s: wisdom, spake unto all that gathering of men:


s: (ll. 2467-2476) "Within my house two stainless daughters dwell.


s: (Neither of them yet has known a man.)  Do now as I bid you and


s: forsake this sin.  Them will I give you rather than that ye work


s: this shame against your nature, and grievous evil against the


s: sons of men.  Take now the maidens and leave my guests in peace,


s: for I will defend them against you before God, if so I may."


s: (ll. 2477-2484) And all that multitude of godless men with one


s: accord made answer unto him: "This seemeth meet and very right:


s: that thou leave this land!  An exile, from afar thou camest to


s: this country, desolate of friends, and lacking food.  And now


s: wilt thou be judge over us, if so may be, and teach our people?"


s: (ll. 2485-2499) Then, as I have heard, the heathen leaders laid


s: hand on Lot and seized him.  But his guests, the righteous


s: strangers, brought him aid, and drew him within his dwelling from


s: host of city-dwellers became blind.  They might not storm the


s: halls, with savage hearts against the strangers, as they strove


s: to do, but stoutly the ministers of God withstood them.  Lot's


s: guests had sturdy strength, and smote the host with vengeance.


s: Fairly the faithful ministers of peace spake unto Lot:


s: (ll. 2500-2512) "If thou have any son, or kinsman dear among this


s: forth in haste from the city those dear to thee, and save thy


s: life, lest thou too perish with these faithless men.  Because of


s: the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah the Lord hath bidden give them


s: over to fire and black flame, to smite the people in their


s: dwellings with the pangs of death, and work His vengeance.  The


s: hour is nigh at hand.  Flee upon the paths of earth, and save thy


s: (ll. 2513-2526) And straightway Lot made answer unto them: "I may


s: women.  But ye may fairly show me love and friendship, and grant


s: me grace and favour.  I know a little high-built town not far


s: from here; there grant me rest and respite, in Zoar to find


s: safety.  If ye will shield that lofty stronghold from the flame,


s: we may abide there for a time secure, and save our lives."


s: (ll. 2526-2534) And friendly was the righteous angels' answer:


s: "Thou shalt receive this boon, since thou hast spoken of the


s: city.  Go quickly to that stronghold, and we will grant thee


s: peace and our protection.  We will not wreak God's vengeance on


s: these faithless men, nor slay this sinful race, till thou hast


s: brought thy children unto Zoar, and thy wife with them."


s: (ll. 2535-2547) Then Abraham's kinsman hastened to the


s: stronghold.  He swiftly journeyed with his women, and stayed not


s: foot until he led his children into Zoar, under the city-gates,


s: and his wife with them.  And when the sun arose, peace-candle of


s: men, then, as I have heard, the Lord of glory sent brimstone out


s: of heaven, black fire and raging flame, in vengeance upon men,


s: because so long in days gone by they had displeased the Lord.


s: The Ruler of spirits gave them their reward!


s: (ll. 2547-2561) And a great fear gripped the heathen race; din


s: arose in their cities, wailing of sinful men, a wretched people


s: at the point of death.  All that was green in the golden cities


s: the flame devoured; likewise no little portion of the wide land


s: round about was covered with flame and terror.  Fair groves and


s: fruits of the earth were turned to ash and glowing ember, even as


s: roaring flame, destroying all things high and spacious, consumed


s: the wealth of Sodom and Gomorrah.  All this the Lord God


s: (ll. 2561-2575) But when Lot's wife heard the rushing flame, and


s: dying men within the city, she looked behind her to that place of


s: the likeness of a pillar of salt; and ever since, the image


s: (far-famed is the story) has stood in silence where that bitter


s: vengeance came upon her, because she would not heed the bidding


s: of the thanes of glory.  Hard and high-towering in that spot of


s: earth she must abide her fate, the doom of God, till time shall


s: cease and the world vanish away.  That is a wonder which the Lord


s: (ll. 2576-2599) And Abraham, the man of wisdom, went out alone at


s: Lord.  Far and wide he saw the fatal smoke curling upward from


s: the earth.  Pride had come upon that people and drunkenness, and


s: they became too insolent in evil and bold in sin.  God's


s: judgements they forgot, and truth, and Him who gave them wealth


s: and blessing in their cities.  Wherefore the Prince of angels


s: sent a consuming flame in punishment upon them.  But our Faithful


s: slain.  Now Lot, the valiant, durst no longer dwell in that


s: stronghold for fear of God, but he departed out of the city, and


s: his children with him, to seek a dwelling far from the place of


s: slaughter, and found, at last, a cave upon the slope of a high


s: hill.  And Lot, the blessed, dear unto God and faithful, abode


s: there many a day, and his two daughters with him....


s: (ll. 2600-2620) Thus did they, and the elder daughter went in


s: first unto their father's bed, as he lay drunk with wine.  And


s: the old man knew not when the maidens came unto his bed, but his


s: mind and wit were clouded within him, and, drunk with wine, he


s: knew not the coming of the maids.  And the lovely sisters


s: conceived, and bare sons unto their aged father.  Lot's older


s: daughter called her son's name Moab.  And the younger called her


s: son's name Ammon, as the sacred writings say.  Of these princes


s: sprang a countless folk, two famous peoples.  One tribe men call


s: the Moabites, a far-famed race; the other tribe men call the


s: (ll. 2621-2627) Then the brother of Haran departed with his wife


s: and household and with all his substance to be subject unto


s: Abimelech.  And Abraham said unto men, of Sarah, his wife, "She


s: is my sister," and thereby saved his life.  For well he knew he


s: had few friends or kinsfolk among that people.  And the prince


s: sent forth his thanes and bade them bring him Abraham's wife.


s: (ll. 2628-2637) Then a second time, while dwelling among alien


s: people, Abraham's wife was taken from her husband, and given into


s: drunk with wine.  The King of truth spake unto the prince in a


s: (ll. 2638-2641) "The wife of Abraham hast thou taken from him,


s: and for this deed of evil death shall smite thy soul within thy


s: (ll. 2641-2652) And, heavy with feasting, the lord of sin began


s: to speak in his slumber: "O Prince of angels, wilt Thou ever, in


s: Thine anger, suffer a life to fail which liveth with righteous


s: ways and upright heart, and seeketh mercy at Thy hands?  I


s: questioned not the woman, but she said that she was Abraham's


s: sister.  And I have wrought no evil against her, nor any sin."


s: (ll. 2653-2666) Then again a second time the Righteous Lord,


s: Eternal God, spake unto him in his dream, and said: "O prince of


s: men, if thou reck aught of longer living in the world, restore


s: this woman unto Abraham to be his wife.  He is wise and


s: righteous, and may behold the King of glory and speak with Him.


s: But thou shalt perish with thy goods and treasure, if thou


s: withhold this woman from the prince.  But if that just and


s: patient man will intercede for thee, he may prevail with Me to


s: let thee live unharmed, enjoying blessings, friends, and treasure


s: (ll. 2666-2674) Then in fear the warden of the people awoke from


s: his slumber, and bade summon his counsellors.  Smitten with


s: tenor, Abimelech told them the words of God.  And they feared


s: God's vengeance on that deed, according to the dream.  Then the


s: king in haste called Abraham before him.  The mighty prince said


s: (ll. 2675-2690) "Tell me now what evil I have done thee, Hebrew


s: prince, since first thou camest to our land with thy possessions,


s: Abraham!  a stranger to this people, thou wouldest entrap us, and


s: Through her thou wouldest have done me grievous hurt and endless


s: evil.  We harboured thee with honour, in friendly wise allotting


s: thee a dwelling in this realm, and lands for thine enjoyment.


s: But in no friendly way dost thou reward or thank us for our


s: (ll. 2691-2716) And Abraham answered: "I did it not in guile or


s: hatred, nor yet to work thee any woe.  But I was far from mine


s: own people, prince of men, and shielded me by craft from,


s: violence and death.  Since Holy God first led me forth of old


s: from the home of my lord and father, desolate of friends, I have


s: visited many a people, many an alien race, and this woman with


s: me.  And ever this fear was in my heart, seeing I was a stranger,


s: Wherefore I said that Sarah was my sister, and this I told the


s: war-smiths everywhere on earth where we two homeless needs must


s: dwell with strangers.  And so I did in this land also, mighty


s: prince, when I came under thy protection.  I knew not if the fear


s: Therefore, with care, I hid from thee and from thy thanes the


s: truth, that Sarah was my wife and shared my bed."


s: (ll. 2717-2722) Then Abimelech began to endow Abraham with


s: treasure, and gave him his wife again; and because he had taken


s: his wife he gave him, to boot, wandering herds and servants and


s: gleaming silver.  And the lord of men said also unto Abraham:


s: (ll. 2723-2726) "Abide with us and choose thee a dwelling in this


s: Be thou a faithful friend, and we will give thee riches."


s: (ll. 2727-2735) And the dispenser of treasure spake also unto


s: Sarah, and said: "No need hath Abraham, thy lord, to reproach


s: thee, O maiden of elfin beauty, because thou hast trod my halls.


s: With gleaming silver will I make requital for this wrong.  Care


s: not to go forth from this folk-land, seeking elsewhere unknown


s: (ll. 2736-2741) And Abraham did according to the bidding of the


s: prince, accepting the friendship offered by his lord, with love


s: and favour.  Dear was he unto God; knowing great blessedness and


s: peace, and walking in his Lord's protection and under the shelter


s: (ll. 2742-2759) Yet was God still angered against Abimelech for


s: the wrong he had wrought against Sarah and against Abraham, in


s: severing the bonds of these beloved, man and wife.  He suffered


s: woe and bitter punishment; the maidens, slave nor free, might not


s: Abraham prayed his Lord, Eternal God, for mercy.  And the Lord of


s: fertility to man and maid, to slave and free.  The Lord of heaven


s: possessions; and the Almighty Warden of mankind was merciful of


s: heart unto Abimelech, as Abraham besought Him.


s: (ll. 2760-2771) Then the Almighty Lord came unto Sarah, according


s: His dear ones, the man and woman.  His wife brought forth a son


s: to Abraham, and, ere his mother had conceived him, the Prince of


s: angels called him Isaac.  And Abraham with his own hand set the


s: glorious sign upon him within the week his mother bare him.


s: (ll. 2772-2777) And the boy grew strong and throve and his nature


s: had waited long for that event since first the Lord, by His own


s: (ll. 2778-2783) And it came to pass upon a time that the woman


s: saw Ishmael playing before Abraham as they sat with holy hearts


s: at meat together, and all their household drank and revelled.


s: Then said his wife, the noble woman, to her lord:


s: (ll. 2783-2791) "Beloved lord, and warden of treasure, grant me a


s: No longer shall we dwell together, if I may rule and have my


s: will.  Never shall Ishmael, after thee, divide the heritage with


s: Isaac, my son, when thou hast given up the ghost from out thy


s: (ll. 2791-2796) Then it grieved Abraham in his heart that he must


s: succoured him.  He knew that the heart of the man was heavy with


s: sorrow.  The King of angels, the Eternal Lord, said unto Abraham:


s: (ll. 2797-2803) "Let care and sorrow vanish from thy heart, and


s: hearken unto the woman, thy wife.  Bid Hagar go forth from this


s: land, and Ishmael, the lad, with her.  And I will multiply his


s: race, and stablish them with ample blessings, as I have promised


s: (ll. 2804-2806) And the man hearkened unto his Lord, and drove


s: them forth in sadness from his dwelling, the woman and his


s: (ll. 2807-2831) "Clear is it that the Just God, Lord of heaven,


s: is with thee, granting thee triumph by His might and wisdom, and


s: strengthening thy heart with grace divine.  Therefore ye throve


s: in all your dealings, with friend or foe, in word or deed.  With


s: His hands the Lord God prospered thee in all thy ways.  That is


s: full widely known unto the city-dwellers!  Graciously grant me


s: now, I pray thee, Hebrew prince, thy promise and thy pledge, that


s: afar unto this land.  Requite it now with kindness that I grudged


s: people, if the Lord our God, who ruleth the fates of men, will


s: grant thee to extend the borders of this people, dealing out


s: wealth to warriors of the shield, and treasure to the brave."


s: (ll. 2832-2833) And Abraham gave a pledge unto Abimelech that he


s: (ll. 2834-2845) And the Hebrew prince, the blessed son of Terah,


s: abode a long time in the land of the Philistines, wretched and in


s: the holy man built a lofty city wherein to dwell, and planted a


s: grove and raised an altar, and on the altar made ample offerings


s: and sacrifice to God, who granted him life and blessing under


s: (ll. 2846-2849) Then the Mighty Lord made a trial of the prince,


s: and proved his strength, and sternly spake unto him, saying:


s: (ll. 2850-2859) "Abraham!  Betake thee quickly on a journey, and


s: with thee lead thine only son.  Thou shalt offer thy son Isaac


s: unto Me in sacrifice.  When thou hast mounted the steep downs and


s: thou build an altar, and kindle a flame, slay thy son with the


s: sword, and burn his body with black flame, and offer it a


s: (ll. 2860-2877) He delayed not the journey, but swiftly made him


s: ready.  For the word of the Lord of angels was terrible to him,


s: and his Lord was dear.  The blessed Abraham rested not nor slept


s: nor spurned his Lord's behest, but the holy man girded him with a


s: his heart.  The aged dispenser of gold began to saddle his asses,


s: and he the fourth.  And he went out from his house with Isaac,


s: the lad, according as God commanded.  He went with speed and


s: hastened on the paths of earth, according as the Lord marked out


s: the way across the waste, until, in gleaming glory, the dawn of


s: the third day arose over the deep water.


s: (ll. 2877-2880) Then the blessed man beheld the high hills


s: towering up, as the Lord of heaven had told him.  And Abraham


s: (ll. 2881-2884) "Abide ye here in this place, and we two will


s: come again, when we have worshipped God."


s: (ll. 2885-2889) And the prince and his son departed across the


s: weald to the place which the Lord had showed him; the lad carried


s: (ll. 2890-2892) "Here have we fire and sword, my lord!  But where


s: (ll. 2893-2896) And Abraham answered (firm was his resolve to do


s: as God had bidden): "That will the Righteous Lord, the Warden of


s: mankind, provide as seemeth right to Him."


s: (ll. 2897-2908) Stout of heart he mounted the high downs, and his


s: upon the ridge of the high land in the place which the Firm and


s: Faithful Lord had showed him.  And there he built a pyre and


s: kindled a flame and bound his son, hand and foot, and laid Isaac,


s: his own hand he would have slain him, and quenched the flame with


s: (ll. 2908-2913) Then a thane of God, an angel from on high,


s: called unto Abraham with a loud voice.  In stillness he abode the


s: minister of God addressed him from the heavens:


s: (ll. 2914-2922) "Slay not thy son, dear Abraham, but take the lad


s: Great shall thy reward be, Hebrew prince, true meed of victory


s: and ample gifts, at the holy hands of the Heavenly King.  The


s: Lord of spirits will bless thee with His blessing because His


s: love and favour were dearer unto thee than thine own son."


s: (ll. 2923-2936) The altar-fire stood kindled.  The Lord of men


s: had gladdened the heart of Abraham, kinsman of Lot, when He


s: restored to him his son, alive.  And the blessed man, brother of


s: Haran, looked over his shoulder and beheld a ram standing not far


s: it upon the altar in the stead of his son, and drawing his sword


s: made ready an offering and an altar smoking with the blood of the


s: (ll. 1-7) Lo! far and wide throughout the earth we have heard


s: how the laws of Moses, a wondrous code, proclaim to men reward of


s: for every living soul.  Let him hear who will!


s: (ll. 8-22) On him the Lord of hosts, the Righteous King, showed


s: honour in the wilderness, and the Eternal Ruler gave him might to


s: came upon the tribe of Pharaoh, the enemy of God, when the Lord


s: of victories entrusted to the bold folk-leader his kinsmen's


s: lives, and gave the sons of Abraham a dwelling and an habitation.


s: him weapon-might against the terror of his foes, wherewith he


s: overcame in battle many a warrior, and the strength of hostile


s: (ll. 22-34) And first the Lord of hosts spake unto him and told


s: him many wonders, how the Triumphant Lord in wisdom wrought the


s: world, and the compass of the earth, and the arching heavens; and


s: honoured the leader of the host, the foe of Pharaoh, and


s: strengthened him with righteous strength on his departure, when,


s: of old, in punishment that mighty host was drenched with death.


s: (ll. 35-53) Wailing arose at the fall of their princes; their


s: hall-joys were hushed and their treasure was scattered.  Fiercely


s: laying their watchmen low.  Wide the destroyer's path, and the


s: way of the fell folk-slayer!  The whole land mourned the dead.


s: The host departed.  Loud was the voice of their wailing, little


s: their joy!  Locked were the hands of the laughter-makers; the


s: multitude had leave to go its way, a wandering folk.  The Fiend


s: was robbed and all the hosts of hell.  Heaven's might came upon


s: them; their idols fell.  That was a glorious day through all the


s: suffered bondage, because they thought for ever to refuse to


s: Moses' kinsmen, if God would let them, their longing for the


s: (ll. 54-62) The host was ready.  The prince who led them was


s: stalwart and bold.  He passed by many a stronghold with his


s: people, leaders and lands of many hostile men, by narrow, lonely


s: paths and unknown ways, until at last they marched, in armour,


s: against the Ethiopian realm.  Their lands were covered with a


s: cloud, their border-homes upon the mountain-slopes.  Past these,


s: with many a hindrance, Moses led his people.


s: (ll. 63-67) And two nights after they escaped their foes God bade


s: the marchlands, with all his force, a mighty army, and tumult of


s: (ll. 68-88) With anxious hearts they hastened on their northward


s: way; they knew that southward lay the Ethiop's land, parched


s: hill-slopes and a race burned brown by the heat of the sun.  But


s: Holy God shielded that folk against the fiery heat, stretching a


s: covering over the flaming heavens, and over the burning air a


s: holy veil.  A cloud widestretching severed earth from heaven, and


s: quenched.  The warriors marvelled, most joyous of hosts.  The


s: shelter of the day-shield moved across the heavens; God in His


s: wisdom had covered the course of the sun with a sail, though


s: earth-dwelling men knew not the mast-ropes, nor might behold the


s: yards, nor understand the way in which that greatest of tents was


s: (ll. 88-97) Then was a third encampment to the comfort of the


s: folk.  The army all beheld the holy sail, the gleaming marvel of


s: the sky, towering above them.  And all that folk, the men of


s: Israel, perceived that there the Lord of hosts was present to


s: measure out a camp.  Before them moved two columns in the


s: heavens, fire and cloud, sharing alike the service of the Holy


s: Spirit, the journey of brave-hearted men, by day and night.


s: (ll. 106-134) Each evening rose a heavenly beacon, a second


s: wondrous marvel after the setting of the sun, a pillar of flame


s: shining in splendour over the hosts of men.  Bright were its


s: shining beams above the warriors; their bucklers gleamed, the


s: shadows vanished away.  No secret place could hide the deep


s: night-shadows.  Heaven's candle burned.  Needs must this new


s: night warden watch above the host, lest in the stormy weather


s: grey heath and desert-terror should overcome their souls with


s: sudden fear.  Streaming locks of fire had their guide, and


s: shining beams, menacing the host with flame and terror, and


s: threatening destruction to that people in the waste, except they


s: swiftly hearkened unto Moses.  Armour gleamed, and bucklers


s: glistened as the warriors took their steadfast way.  And over the


s: moved, even unto the stronghold of the sea at the land's end.


s: And there they pitched a camp and rested, for they were weary.


s: Stewards brought the warriors food and strengthened them.  And


s: when the trumpet sang they stretched themselves upon the hills,


s: shipmen within their tents.  That was the fourth encampment and


s: (ll. 135-141) There dread tidings of inland pursuit came unto the


s: the exiles abode the coming of the fierce pursuers, who long had


s: crushed those homeless men and wrought them injury and woe.  They


s: when their wrath was stirred by a quarrel.  They wrought great


s: wrong to Moses' kinsmen, broke the covenant, and slew them.


s: Their hearts were filled with faithlessness and rage, the mighty


s: passions of men.  They would fain requite the gift of life with


s: evil, that the people of Moses might pay for that day's work in


s: blood, if almighty God would prosper their destructive journey.


s: (ll. 154-169) Then the hearts of the earls were hopeless within


s: them as they beheld the shining bands, the hosts of Pharaoh,


s: marching from out the south, uplifting a forest of lances, with


s: coming of death; the march warders howled in the midnight.  The


s: doomed soul fled; the host was compassed about.


s: (ll. 170-199) Now and again the proud thanes of the host measured


s: before the troops, the war-king raised the standard; the


s: battle-warden bound on helm and chinguard (banners gleamed) in


s: expectation of war, shook his armour, and bade his warlike host,


s: his firm-ranked cohorts, go boldly into battle.  The foe beheld


s: with hostile eyes the coming of the landsmen.  About him fearless


s: thirsting for battle, loyal of heart.  He chose the flower of his


s: birth, kings and kinsmen.  And each led out his men, and all the


s: warriors that he well could muster in the appointed time.  The


s: young men were gathered together, the kings in their pomp.


s: Frequently sounding, the well-known voice of the horn signalled


s: the host where the war-troop of heroes should bear their arms.