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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/15612-8.txt b/15612-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..118a165 --- /dev/null +++ b/15612-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3032 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Genesis A, by Anonymous + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Genesis A + Translated from the Old English + +Author: Anonymous + +Release Date: April 13, 2005 [EBook #15612] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GENESIS A *** + + + + +Produced by David Starner, Jason Isbell and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + + + + +Transcribers Note: Typographic errors in the original have been +retained. In the table of contents there are two sets of page numbers. +The first appears to be the page numbers from the original MS. The +second set in parentheses are the page numbers from this facsimile. +As the body of the text is referred to by line numbers, that section +has not been rewrapped. + + +YALE STUDIES IN ENGLISH + +ALBERT S. COOK, EDITOR + +XLVIII + +GENESIS A + +TRANSLATED FROM THE OLD ENGLISH + +BY + +LAWRENCE MASON, PH.D. + +INSTRUCTOR IN ENGLISH IN YALE COLLEGE + +NEW YORK + +HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY + +1915 + + + + +PREFACE + + +The purpose of the translator in offering to the public this +version of the _Genesis_ is to aid in forwarding--be it by but one +jot or tittle--the general knowledge and appreciation of Old English +literature. Professed students in this department will always have +an incentive to master the language; but to the public at large the +strangeness of this medium will prove an insurmountable barrier, and +the general reader must therefore either remain in ignorance of our +older literary monuments or else employ translations. The present +contribution[1] to the growing body of such translations possesses, +perhaps, more than a single interest or appeal, in that it renders +accessible not only a poem of considerable intrinsic worth, a poem +associated with the earliest of the great names in English literary +history, and a forerunner and possible source of _Paradise Lost_, but +also an important example of a literary _genre_ once immensely popular, +though now quite fallen into abeyance--namely, the lengthy versified +Scriptural paraphrase. For some idea of the prominent part played by +this form, even so late as the seventeenth century, the reader is +referred to any comprehensive manual of English literature. + +In this translation, prose has been employed instead of verse, for two +reasons. In the first place, no metrical form has yet been found which, +in the writer's judgment, at all adequately represents in modern English +the effect of the Old English alliterative verse, or stave-rime. And in +the second place, to the writer's thinking, no one but a poet should +attempt to write verse: and on that principle, translations would be few +and far between, unless prose were used. + +But even granting the value of the _Genesis_ as a fit subject for +translation, and the necessity for the employment of prose, the reader +may still quarrel with the particular _kind_ of prose hereinbelow +essayed; so a brief explanation and, it is hoped, vindication of the +theory of translation here followed would seem desirable, inasmuch as +considerable divergence is intended from the methods adopted by the +various translators of the _Beowulf_, for example. First, Biblical +phraseology has been eschewed, partly because in a modern writer it +savors of affectation, but chiefly because his Bible was the point +of departure for the Old English author, and to return now in the +translation to our Bible would be a stultification of his purposes by a +sort of _argumentum in circulo_. Secondly, archaisms, poetic diction, +and unusual constructions (the "translation English" anathematized by +the Rhetorics) have been so far as possible avoided, contrary to the +practice of most translators from Old English poetry, because it is +felt strongly that such usages will not produce upon modern readers the +effect that this poetry produced originally upon the readers or hearers +for whom it was intended. For this poetry could not have seemed alien +or exotic to its original public: either through familiar poetic +convention, or owing to the staccato and ejaculatory character of +ordinary spoken language at the time, this spasmodic, apostrophic poetry +must have seemed natural and beautiful, in the seventh or eighth +century. But-- + + Why take the style of those heroic times? + For nature brings not back the mastodon, + Nor we those times. + +To translate is to modernize. This rendering, therefore, is not an +artificial, pseudo-antique hybrid, but frankly endeavors to convey its +original to modern readers in idiomatic modern literary English, devoid +of any conscious mannerisms whatsoever. The writer has aimed at the +utmost literal fidelity consistent with the observance of all the usages +of current standard English; he has not attempted, however, to convert +the explosive appositions, with prevailing asyndeton and excessive +synonymy, of his original into the easy, flowing sentences more familiar +to modern eyes and ears, for the change would sacrifice altogether too +much of the distinctive character and flavor of Old English poetry. + +The text upon which this work is based is that of the Grein-Wülker +_Bibliothek der Angelsächsischen Poesie,_ 1894, save for a few minor +changes in punctuation and the few departures recorded in the Notes. +Grein's translation of the poem into modern German stave-rime, 1857, has +been frequently consulted, but the writer's real indebtedness to it is +felt to be slight. He takes great pleasure, finally, in acknowledging +his deep sense of obligation, on many grounds, to the general editor of +this series, Professor Albert S. Cook; the work was undertaken at his +suggestion, and he has been most kind in giving advice and criticism. + +Lawrence Mason. + + YALE UNIVERSITY, + _July 17, 1913._ + + + + +TABLE OF CONTENTS + + With Specification of the Biblical Chapters and Verses + represented in each Section of the Poem + + PAGE + + PREFACE III (135) + + TABLE OF CONTENTS VI (138) + + GENESIS A: + + Section I[2] 1 (141) + Section II (Gen. 1.1-5) 3 (143) + Section III (Gen. 1.4-10) 4 (144) + Lines 169-234 (Gen. 1.28, 31; 2.10-14, 18, 21, 22) 5 (145) + Lines 852-871 (Gen. 3.8-10) 7 (147) + Section X (Gen. 3.11-15) 7 (147) + Section XI (Gen. 3.16, 17, 19, 21, 24; 4.1-5, 8) 9 (149) + Section XII (Gen. 4.9-19, 21) 11 (151) + Section XIII (Gen. 4.22-26; 5.3-14) 13 (153) + Section XIV (Gen. 5.15-29, 32) 15 (155) + Section XV (Gen. 6.1-8, 11-19, 22) 17 (157) + Section XVI (Gen. 7.1-7, 11, 12, 16-23) 18 (158) + Section XVII (Gen. 8.1-4, 6-12) 20 (160) + Section XVIII (Gen. 8.15-18, 20; 9.1-9, 11-19) 22 (162) + Section XIX (Gen. 9.20-28; 10.1, 2, 6, 8-10; 11.1) 24 (164) + Section XX (Gen. 10.1, 20, 21; 11.2, 4-8, 10, 26, 27) 26 (166) + Section XXI (Gen. 11.29-32; 12.1-8) 28 (168) + Section XXII (Gen. 12.8, 10-20; 13.1-4) 30 (170) + Section XXIII (Gen. 13.5-13) 32 (172) + Section XXIV (Gen. 14.1, 2, 4, 10-16) 33 (173) + Section XXV (Gen. 14.17-24; 15.1) 37 (177) + Section XXVI (Gen. 15.2-5, 7, 18; 16.1-6) 39 (179) + Section XXVII (Gen. 16.6-12, 15, 16; 17.1, 2, 10-14, 19) 41 (181) + Section XXVIII (Gen. 17.17-21, 23, 24, 27; 18.12-14) 43 (183) + Section XXIX (Gen. 18.16, 17, 20-22) 44 (184) + Section XXX (Gen. 19.1-13, 18-26) 45 (185) + Section XXXI (Gen. 19.27-30, 33, 35-38) 49 (189) + Section XXXII (Gen. 20.1-10) 50 (190) + Section XXXIII (Gen. 20.11, 13-18; 21.1-4) 51 (191) + Section XXXIV (Gen. 21.5, 8-14, 22-24, 27) 53 (193) + Section XXXV (Gen. 21.33, 34; 22.1-13) 55 (195) + NOTES 58 (198) + + + + +GENESIS A + + + + +I. + + +Ours is a great duty--to praise in word and love at +heart the heavens' Ruler, the glorious King of Hosts: +He is the substance of all power, the head of all high +things, the Lord Almighty. Origin or beginning was 5 +never made for Him, nor shall an end ever come to the +eternal God: but, on the contrary, He is for ever supreme +by His high puissance over the heavenly kingdoms; +just and mighty, He rules the mansions of the sky, 10 +which were established far and wide through the power +of God for the sons of glory, the keepers of souls. + +These angelic hosts were wont to feel joy and rapture, +transcendent bliss, in the presence of their Creator: +their beatitude was measureless. Glorious ministers 15 +magnified their Lord, spoke his praise with zeal, lauded +the Master of their being, and were excellently happy +in the majesty of God. They had no knowledge of +working evil or wickedness, but dwelt in innocence 20 +forever with their Lord: from the beginning they wrought +in heaven nothing but righteousness and truth, until +a Prince of angels through pride strayed into sin: then +they would consult their own advantage no longer, but +turned away from God's lovingkindness. They had 25 +vast arrogance, in that by the might of multitudes they +sought to wrest from the Lord the celestial mansions, +spacious and heaven-bright. Then there fell upon +them, grievously, the envy, presumption, and pride +of the Angel who first began to carry out the evil plot, 30 +to weave it and promote it, when he boasted by word-- +as he thirsted for conflict--that he wished to own the +home and high throne of the heavenly kingdom to the +north. Thereupon God became angered and hostile 35 +towards the beings whom he had formerly exalted in +beauty and glory: he created for the traitors a marvelous +abode as penalty for their action, namely the pangs of +Hell, bitter afflictions; Our Lord called forth that 40 +abysmal joyless house of punishment to wait for the +outcast keepers of souls.[3] When he knew that it was +ready, he enveloped it in eternal night and equipped it +with torment, filling it with fire and fearful cold, with +fume and red flame: then he commanded the terrors +of suffering to increase throughout that hapless place. 45 + +They had committed a dire sin against God: on that +account dire punishment befell them. They asserted, +in fierce mood, that they wished to seize the kingdom +and could easily do so: but this presumption mocked +them when their Lord, the high King of heaven, lifted 50 +up his almighty hand against the throng. The mad +rebels, accursed ones, could not make head against God, +but the Highest troubled their spirits and humbled their +pride, for he was incensed; he stripped the sinners of 55 +victory and might, of dominion and honor, and further +took from his foes happiness, peace, and all joys, as well +as bright glory, and finally, with his own exceeding power, +wreaked his wrath on his adversaries in mighty ruin. 60 +He was stern in mood, grimly embittered, and seized +upon his foes with resistless grasp and broke them in +his grip, enraged at heart, and deprived his opponents of +their native seat,[4] their bright abodes on high. For 65 +our Creator dismissed and banished from heaven the +overweening band of angels: the Lord sent away on a +long journey the faithless multitude, the hateful host, +the miserable spirits; their pride was broken, their threat 70 +overthrown, their glory shattered, and their beauty +dimmed; thenceforth they abode in desolation, because +of their dark exile. They did not dare to laugh aloud, +but lived wearied by the torments of hell and became +familiar with woes, bitterness, and sorrow; covered with 75 +darkness, they bore their pain,--a heavy sentence, +because they had begun to battle against God. + +Then, as formerly, true peace existed in heaven, fair +amity: for the Lord was dear to all, the Sovereign to his 80 +servants; and the majesty of the joyful angelic hosts +increased, through the favor of the Almighty. + + + + +II. + + +So those who inhabited the sky, home of glory, were +at peace; hatred was gone, as well as sorrow and strife +among angels, ever since the rebellious hosts, bereft of the 85 +light, had relinquished heaven. Behind them stood in +grandeur their seats rich in glorious workmanship, teeming +with blessings in God's kingdom, bright and perennially +bountiful,--but all devoid of occupants, ever since the 90 +miserable spirits had gone to their place of punishment, +their vile prison. Then our Lord bethought him, in +meditative mood, how he might people again, and with +a better race, his high creation, the noble seats and glory- 95 +crowned abodes which the haughty rebels had left +vacant, high in heaven. Therefore Holy God willed by +his plenteous power that under the circle of the firma- +ment the earth should be established, with sky above and 100 +wide water, a world-creation in place of the foes whom +in their apostasy he hurled from bliss. + +As yet there was nothing at all created here, except +shadows, but this broad earth stood deep and dim, idle 105 +and useless, alien even to God himself; on it the King +whose purpose never falters turned his eyes and beheld +the place void of joy; he saw dark clouds, black under +the firmament, throng in the eternal night, dun and 110 +waste, until this world-creation came to pass through +the word of the King of Glory. First the everlasting +Lord, protector of all things, created heaven and earth; +as the almighty King put forth the firmament and with 115 +victorious might established this ample world. The +earth was as yet unadorned by vegetation: the ocean +covered it far and wide, turbid waves in the eternal +night. Then was the glorious Spirit of heaven's guardian 120 +borne over the sea with sovereign virtue. For the King +of the angels commanded Light, dispenser of life, to +come forth over the broad expanse: quickly was the +Arch-King's mandate fulfilled, and Holy Light appeared 125 +over the waste spaces, as the Creator had ordained it. +The Wielder of Victory next sundered light from darkness, +shadow from radiance, over the surge of the sea. Then +he formed the two names of the dispensers of life: light +was first called "Day" by the word of the Lord, a 130 +beauteous creation. This period of creation greatly +pleased God, in the beginning: the first day saw the +dark shadows duskily flee away over the wide earth. + + + + +III. + + +Time now went forth over the frame-work of the 135 +world: after this shining splendor, the Lord our Creator +fashioned the first evening, but on its track rushed a +thronging welter of darkness which the Lord himself +called by the name of "Night." Our Saviour sundered 140 +these two: ever since then they have ceaselessly wrought +and fulfilled the will of the Lord over the earth. +Then the second day advanced, light after darkness; +and the Ruler of Life straightway commanded a glad 145 +sky-substance to appear in the midst of the flood: our +Master parted the waves and wrought there the found- +ations of the firmament: this the Mighty One, omnipotent +King, reared aloft from the earth through his own word. 150 +The flood was divided under the high heavens by holy +power, the waters from the waters, and still they remain +so under the firmament which roofs all nations. + +Then swiftly came advancing over the world the third 155 +great morn. Nor were the spreading lands and ways +yet deemed needful by our Lord, but the earth stood +girt fast by water. Through his word, the Ruler of +the angels bade the waters be gathered together, which +now hold their course beneath the skies in an appointed 160 +place. Then speedily the broad ocean stood all together +under heaven, as the Holy One commanded, for the +flood was sundered from the dry land. Thereupon +Life's Ruler looked upon the dry land, the Preserver of +mankind [found it] widely visible, and the King of 165 +Glory called it "Earth." He established a proper +channel for the waves, the broad flood, and fettered.... + + * * * * * + +(_Lacuna in MS._[5]) + + * * * * * + +The Ruler of Heaven did not think it fitting that 170 +Adam, the keeper of Paradise and shepherd of the new +creation, should be alone any longer: so the supreme +King, Ruler Almighty, made a companion for him-- +created Woman, and gave this helpmate to his cherished 175 +Man as the first and fruitful light of his life. He took his +material from Adam's body and skilfully removed a +rib from his side: the latter was deep in repose and +slumbered peacefully; he felt no pain, though a little 180 +uneasiness, nor did a drop of blood come from the wound, +but the Prince of the Angels took from his body a living +bone while the man was unwounded. From this God +fashioned a noble woman, and put into her the breath +of life and an immortal soul: these two were like the 185 +angels. Thus was Adam's bride[6] endowed with a +living spirit. They were both radiantly beautiful in their +youthfulness, in the world prepared by the might of +the Lord: they did not know how to undertake or 190 +work evil, but on the contrary there was in the breast +of each a burning love of God. Then the benign King, +Ruler of everyone born of the race of man, blessed these +first two creatures, father and mother, woman and +man. Thereafter he spoke these words: 195 + +"Be fruitful now and increase; fill the verdant earth +with progeny, your race, both sons and daughters. Under +your sway shall be the salt water and all the created +world. Enjoy prosperous days, [ruling over] both 200 +the fishes of the deep and the fowls of the air. Into +your power are given the sacred herd and the wild beasts +and every living thing that walks the earth; all breath- +ing creatures, whatsoever the sea brings forth over the 205 +whale-paths, all things belong to you two." + +Then our Maker beheld the beauty of his works and +the fullness of his abundance, his new creations. Pa- +radise stood, good and holy, filled with blessings, ever- 210 +lasting bounty. That kindly soil was beauteously +watered by the rushing seas and springing fountains; +for never yet had clouds dark with wind brought down +rains over the broad earth: but none the less the ground +stood crowned with its harvest. From this new Garden 215 +four noble river-streams have their outflow: these were +all partitioned out of one fair-shining water by the might +of the Lord, when he created the earth, and [were thus] 220 +sent out into the world. Men dwelling on the earth, +the peoples of the nations, call one of these Fison, which +broadly girdles with its bright streams a quarter of the +earth beyond Hebeleac[7]: in that ancestral soil the sons 225 +of men, nations near and far, find the best gold and +precious stones,[8] as the books tell us. Then the second +[river], whose name is Geon, girdles the land and govern- +ment of Ethiopia, an ample kingdom. The third is 230 +Tigris, a foaming stream which encircles the people of +Assyria. Such likewise is the fourth, which men among +many a nation now widely call Eufrates....[9] + + * * * * * + +(_Genesis B intervenes here_.) + + * * * * * + +Then the Almighty King, the great Lord, came forth +into the garden about mid-day, by his divine will; for 855 +our Saviour and merciful Father wished to find out +what his children were doing: he knew that they were +sinful to whom he had given perfection. Bereft of +their beatitude and stricken in spirit, they avoided his +presence by retreating among the shadows of the trees; 860 +they hid themselves in dark recesses, when they heard +the holy word of the Lord and feared him. Straight- +way the King of Heaven began to call for the keeper +of the [newly] created world; the mighty Lord bade +his son come to him forthwith. He answered him then, 865 +the wretched one himself, destitute of clothing, [and] +said: + +"Lord of my life, I am hiding myself here because +unclothed; basely sinful, I am covering my shame with +leaves: my pain is cruel, most bitter in my heart. I dare 870 +not now go forth before thy presence: I am all naked!" + + + + +X.[10] + + +To him then God at once replied: + +"Tell me this, my son: why do you seek the shadows, +in shame? You certainly received no disgrace at my 875 +hands, but on the contrary delight in all things! How +come you to know evil and hide shame and behold sor- +row and cover your body with leaves and, saddened and +crushed by the woes of life, say that you need clothing, +unless you have tasted of an apple from the tree which 880 +I forbade to you by express command?" + +Adam then answered him again: + +"The woman, my Lord, the fair woman gave into +my hand this fruit, which I accepted in sin against thee. 885 +Now I bear this manifest sign in myself: I know so much +the more of sorrow!" + +Then Almighty God asked Eve about this: + +"Why did you forfeit these plenteous delights, daughter, +the new creations of paradise, abundant blessings, when 890 +in your cupidity you seized on the trunk and took the +fruit from the branch of the tree and ate the accursed +thing in defiance of me, and gave of the apple to Adam, +when you both by my prohibition were so strictly for- 895 +bidden to do so?" + +Then the fair maiden, the woman overcome by shame, +answered him: + +"The serpent tempted me and urgently prompted me +to sin; through fair words the worm goaded me into +accursed frowardness, until I basely performed the 900 +deadly act, committed the crime, and robbed the tree in +the grove, as it was not lawful to do, and ate the fruit." + +Then our Saviour, the Lord Almighty, ordained wide +wanderings for the serpent, the venomous worm, and 905 +spoke further in these words: + +"To far distant times shalt thou, an outcast, crawl +over the broad earth on thy breast, thy belly; without +feet shalt thou move about, so long as life and breath +remain in thee. Dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy 910 +life, since thou hast accomplished so evil a deed here. +Thee the woman shall war against, and hate thee +[worse than anything else] under heaven, and shall tread +upon thine accursed head with her feet; thou shalt lie +in wait at her heels, in ever-new conflict: for there +shall be war between thy offspring and her offspring 915 +always, as long as the earth exists under the cloudy +skies. Now dost thou understand and know, baleful +destroyer of mankind, how thou shalt live!" + + + + +XI. + + +Then God wrathfully spoke to Eve: + +"Depart now from bliss! Thou shalt be ever under +the sway of men; with fear of men cruelly oppressed, 920 +thou shalt sorrowfully endure the heinousness of thine +offence and wait for death, and with weeping and wailing +and great anguish bring into the world thy sons and +daughters!" + +Likewise to Adam did the Eternal Lord, Source of 925 +Light and Life, declare a cruel edict: + +"Thou shalt seek another country, a joyless dwelling- +place, and wander in exile, naked and needy, driven 930 +away from the blessings of paradise; the separation of +soul and body is now ordained for thee. Lo, thou hast +wickedly originated sin: therefore thou shalt toil, and +win thy sustenance on earth by thyself, acquire it by +the sweat of thy face, and thus eat thy bread so long 935 +as thou livest here,--until ungentle disease, which thou +didst recently take to thyself with the apple, strikes +thee cruelly to the heart: then shalt thou die." + +Behold, we learn thus how bitter afflictions and uni- 940 +versal miseries came upon us. + +Thereupon the Guardian of Glory, our Creator, girded +them with clothing; the Lord bade them cover their +nakedness with some simple garments, and bade them +set forth and depart from paradise into a harder life. +Behind them, by God's command, a holy angel with a 945 +fiery sword shut the gate of their blissful home of peace +and joy; nor may any guileful sin-stained man ever fare +thither again, for the warder has might and strength 950 +who keeps for the Lord that greater life rich in glories. +Yet the Almighty, our First Father, would not take +away all comforts from Adam and Eve, though they had +fallen away from him: but he still let the lofty roof 955 +studded with holy stars stand as a solace for them, and +gave them ample possessions, and bade the seas and +land bring forth for the pair multitudes of each of the +young-producing species [necessary] for the sustenance 960 +of this life. So, after their sin, they inhabited a more +sorrowful land, a dwelling and country less fertile in +every kind of blessing than their former abode had +been, from which they had been driven out after their +misdeed. + +Then they began, by God's command, to produce 965 +children, as the Lord had charged them. To begin +with, by Adam and Eve were brought into the world +two fair first-born sons, Cain and Abel. The books +tell us how these first toilers, loving brothers, gained 970 +their subsistence, riches and food: the one who was +elder born tilled the earth with his strength; the second +kept the flocks, helping his father, until a great number 975 +of days passed. They both brought an offering to the +Lord: the Prince of the Angels, King of all things, looked +upon Abel's offering with [favorable] eyes, but would +not consider the sacrifice of Cain; that caused strong +indignation in the heart of the man: rage arose in the 980 +youth's breast, livid hatred, and wrath by reason of +envy: then he wrought evil deeds with his hands, slew +his kinsman, his own brother, shed his blood,--yea, 985 +Cain [shed] Abel's. And the earth soaked up this blood +shed by murder, the life-blood of a man. + +After this fatal blow woe was aroused, the long train +of afflictions: since then from this twig have hatefully +sprouted ever longer and stronger bitter branches: these 990 +branches of calamity spread far and wide over the nations +of men: hardly and sorely did the twigs of misery strike +the sons of men (and so they still do), from which the +broad leaves of all suffering began to spring. We may 995 +tearfully lament this account, this death-bringing fatal- +ity, and not in vain: but the fair woman injured us +[more] severely through the first sin which men dwelling +on earth ever committed against the Lord, since Adam 1000 +was filled with the breath of life by the mouth of God! + + + + +XII. + + +Then the Master of Splendor asked Cain through his +word, where Abel was, upon the earth. Quickly there- +upon the wicked worker of slaughter answered him: 1005 + +"I know not Abel's coming or going, my kinsman's +course: I was not my brother's keeper!" + +Then the Prince of Angels, the Spirit rich in good +things, spoke to him again: + +"Why didst thou cast that virtuous man, thy brother, 1010 +on his death-bed with thy violent hands, and his blood +now calleth and crieth unto me? For this murder +shalt thou undergo punishment and wander in exile 1015 +accursed unto distant ages: nor shall the earth, fair +for all necessary sustenance, yield thee harvest, for it +drank sacred blood at thy hands: therefore the earth, +verdant in beauty, denies thee its bounties. Infamous, +thou shalt sorrowfully wander from thy native land, +because thou hast been Abel's murderer: thou shalt 1020 +go forth an outcast over a long road, hateful to all thy +relatives!" + +Then Cain answered him[11]: + +"Now I dare not hope for any grace in the kingdoms +of the world, for I have forfeited, O high King of heaven, 1025 +thy favor as well as love and peace: therefore shall I +travel far ways in expectation of woes, whensoever any +one far or near shall find me, in my guilt, who may +remember my crime, my brother's murder: I shed his 1030 +blood, his life-blood on the ground. On this day thou +dost banish me from comfort and drive me from my +native land: someone of my foes shall be my murderer; +accursed, O God, shall I wander from thy sight." 1035 + +Then the Lord of Victory spoke to him: + +"Thou needst not as yet dread the terror of death +and murder, though thou shalt depart far from thy +friends, an outcast. If any man by his own hand 1040 +deprives thee of life, then shall come upon him sevenfold +vengeance for his sin, as penalty for his deed." + +Our Ruler and glorious Lord set on him a sign, the 1045 +Master [set] a symbol of immunity, so that none of his +foes far or near might dare to approach him with warlike +intent; then he bade the wicked one leave forever his +mother and sons, all his family. Thereupon Cain set +out and departed sorrowing from before the face of God, 1050 +a joyless exile, and built himself a dwelling to the east, +a habitation far from his fatherland: there a fair maiden, +a woman of the country, bore him offspring. + +The eldest was called Enos, first-born of Cain; he 1055 +began at once to build a city, with his kinsfolk: that +was the first beneath the clouds of all the fortifications +which heroes and swordsmen have caused to be built. 1060 +Therein his offspring first arose, born of his wife in the +citadel: the eldest son of Enos was called Jared. Thence +arose the tribe of Cain, which increased the numbers 1065 +of its race. Next to Jared, Malalehel was the keeper +of the heritage after his father, until he passed away. +Afterwards Mathusal shared the royal treasures with +his kinsfolk, with his brothers, scion after scion, until 1070 +wise through length of days he had to consummate +his departure from the world and forsake life. After +his father's day, Lamech received the household +goods and domestic wealth: two wives, Ada and 1075 +Sella, women of the country, bore offspring to him: of +these one was Jabal by name, son of Lamech, who +through skilful cunning first of dwellers here below +awoke by his hands the song of the harp, that melo- 1080 +dious sound. + + + + +XIII. + + +Likewise, at this same time, there was in this family +a man called Tubal Cain, a son of Lamech, who through +the abundance of his skill was a master-smith, and first 1085 +among men through the craft of his mind he was the +inventor of agricultural implements upon earth: since +then the sons of men dwelling in cities have known far +and wide how to use brass and iron. + +Once on a time Lamech himself made in words a wicked 1090 +confession to his two wives, his dear bed-fellows, Ada +and Sella: + +"In murder I have slain a certain one among my near +relations; I stained my hands with the gory death of 1095 +Cain, destroyed with my hands the father of Enos, the +slayer of Abel, and poured on the ground the life-blood +of a man. Well knew I that for this shall come at last +the sevenfold vengeance of the King of Truth, great 1100 +according to the crime: my fall and destruction shall +be more sternly meted out, with grim horror, when I +depart!"-- + +Now, there came to Adam in Abel's place another 1105 +heir born in legal wedlock, an upright son, whose name +was Seth: he was happy and contributed greatly to the +comfort of his parents, Adam and Eve, his father and +mother, and took Abel's place in worldly affairs. 1110 + +Then the first of men spoke these words: + +"The Eternal Lord of Victory and Ruler of Life has +given me a son in place of the dear one whom Cain +slew, and our God has driven my grievous sorrow from 1115 +my heart with this man-child: to Him be praise for this!" +When he began again to raise up another son to him- +self by his wife, to be his heir, Adam the vigorous cham- +pion had [numbered] 130 winters of this life in the world. 1120 +The Scriptures tell us that on earth here for 800 years +after that, Adam increased his family with maidens +and youths: in all he had 930[12] winters, when he had to 1125 +give over this world through the departure of his spirit. +After him Seth ruled over the people,[13] the son held +the heritage after the parents, and took unto himself 1130 +a wife: he counted 105 winters when he first began to +increase the numbers of his family by sons and daughters. +The eldest son of Seth was called Enos: he first of all 1135 +the children of man called upon God,[14] since Adam +stepped upon the green grass, endowed with the spirit +of life. Seth was happy, and afterwards begot sons +and daughters for 807 winters: in all he had 912, when 1140 +the time was fulfilled that he should accomplish his +departure. + +After him, when he departed out of the world, Enos +held the heritage, after the earth had received the body 1145 +of Seth, fruitful in the Lord. He was dear to God, and +lived here 90 winters before he begot children here by +his wife through intercourse: to him then was Cainan +first born, an heir in his ancestral home. Afterwards 1150 +for 815 winters[15] in the peace of God, the wise hero +begot offspring, sons and daughters: he died, the sage +patriarch, when he had [fulfilled] 905 [years]. + +After Enos, Cainan was chieftain, keeper, and leader 1155 +of his race: he had [numbered] 70 winters before a son +was born to him: when an heir was born for the patri- +mony, this son of Cainan was called Malalehel. There- 1160 +after for 840 [years] he increased the number of his +family by [begetting] children. In all, the son of Enos +had [lived] 910 winters, when he left this world, when 1165 +the number of his appointed days under the expanse of +the skies was fulfilled. + + + + +XIV. + + +After him Malalehel kept the land and inheritance for +many seasons. The chieftain had [lived] 65 winters, 1170 +when he began to beget children by his wife. His wife +brought a son to him, the woman to the man: this son +in his childhood, as I have heard, the man-child in his +youth, was called Jared. After this Malalehel lived 1175 +long and rejoiced in [his] blessings, [all] the delights of +men here below and worldly treasures: 895 winters had +he numbered when he departed; to his son he left the 1180 +land and the government. + +After him for a long while Yeared dispensed gold to +the people; the chieftain was noble, a pious hero, and a +ruler dear to his subjects; 165 expectant winters he 1185 +lived his life in this world, when his happiness arrived, +for his wife brought a son into the world: this son was +called Enoch, his fair first-born. But the father still +added descendants to the number of his race, for 800 1190 +[years]: in all he had [counted] 965 [years] by night- +reckoning when he departed, the ancient patriarch, +when he gave up this world. And Yeared left land and 1195 +government to his wise [son], the dear leader. + +After this Enoch raised aloft the sovereignty, the sagaci- +ous leadership of the people: in no wise did he let fall the +dominion and authority[16] while he was guardian of his 1200 +kinsfolk: he enjoyed days of happiness, and begot sons, +for 300 winters; the Lord, the Ruler of the Skies, was +gracious to him. From this world the hero sought in +the body the joy and bliss of the Lord; in no wise did 1205 +he die the death of this earth, as men [ordinarily] do +here, young and old, when God takes away from them +their possessions and substance, [all] earth's treasures, +and their life as well: but while living he set forth with 1210 +the King of Angels out of this transitory life into bliss,[17] +[clad] in the robes which his spirit received before his +mother brought him forth to men. He left the people +to his to his eldest son, his first-born; 365 winters had he 1215 +[numbered] when he left the world. + +For some time after him, his son Mathusal held the +inheritance, who for the longest space of time enjoyed 1220 +the pleasures of the world in this body: he begot a +multitude of sons and daughters, before the day of his +death. When he had to depart from among men, the +venerable hero had [enjoyed] 970 winters. + +After him, his son Lamech held the government: for 1225 +a long time thereafter he ruled over the world; he had +[lived] 102 winters when the season came for the chief- +tain to begin to beget noble heirs, sons and daughters. + +After this the lord and chief of the people lived 595 1230 +[years], enjoyed many a winter under the skies, ruled +the race well, and begot children: youths and maidens +arose as heirs to him. The eldest of them he named +Noe, who reigned over the land among men after Lamech 1235 +departed. + +This sage ruler of the noblemen was 500 years old +when he first began to beget children, as the books tell. +The eldest son of Noe was called Sem, the next Cham, 1240 +the third Jafeth. + +The people multiplied widely under the skies: the +race of men increased in number over the earth, by 1245 +[the birth of] sons and daughters. Now the descendants +of Seth, that beloved leader of the people, were still +very much cherished, dear to the Lord and prosperous. + + + + +XV. + + +But when the sons of God began to seek brides among +the race of Cain, the accursed folk, and chose wives 1250 +from among them against the will of God, the children +of men from among the sinful maidens, beautiful and +bright, then the Ruler of the heavens pronounced his +wrath against mankind and spoke these words: + +"The men of Cain's race have not been absent from 1255 +my mind, but that stock has sorely offended me. Now +the sons of Seth renew my wrath and take to themselves +the maidens of my enemies as wives: the fairness of the 1260 +women, the maidens' faces, and the eternal Fiend have +shamefully captivated the multitude of men who were +formerly in peace." + +After that, for 120 winters, duly numbered, exile +afflicted the accursed race in this world; then the Lord 1265 +wished to inflict punishment upon the covenant-breakers, +and to smite with death the doers of evil, the giant folk +unloved by God, the great and sinful foes hateful to the +Lord, when the Wielder of Victory himself saw what 1270 +was man's wickedness on earth, and how they all were +bold in crime and utterly vicious. He thought to +punish rigorously the races of men, to seize upon the 1275 +peoples grimly and sorely, with cruel might: he repented +exceedingly that he had ever created the author of the +nations, the source of the peoples, when he fashioned +Adam. He said that on account of the sins of men he +would utterly blot out all that there was on earth, 1280 +destroy every one of the bodies in whose bosom the +breath of life was concealed: all that came near to the +sons of men, the Lord determined to annihilate. + +Noe, the son of Lamech, just and honorable, was dear 1285 +to God, the Preserver. The Lord knew that the virtue +of the true man prevailed in the innermost thoughts of +his breast; therefore the Lord, holy in helpfulness, Pro- 1290 +tector of all men, told him by revelation what he pur- +posed inflicting upon the wicked ones: for he saw the +earth full of unrighteousness, the broad plains laden +with sin, polluted with foulness. Then spoke the Al- 1295 +mighty, our Saviour, and said to Noe: + +"I am resolved to destroy humanity by means of a +deluge, and also every kind of living thing that the air +and waters produce and support, both beast and bird: +but thou shalt have shelter, with thy sons, when the 1300 +dark waters, the black floods of death, destroy mankind, +the vile sinners. Begin to build thee a ship, a mighty +sea-house, in which thou shalt give a place of refuge +to many a one and a safe home to every species on earth, 1305 +after thine own. Build partitions in the midst of the +ship. Make the boat fifty cubits wide, thirty high, +three hundred long, and joint it stoutly against the 1310 +assault of the waves. There shall be a creature of every +living species, a scion of every race on earth, led within +that wooden fortress; so must the Ark be the greater!" + +Noe did as the Lord commanded him, obeyed the 1315 +holy King of Heaven, began at once to build that Ark, +the mighty sea-chest; he told his kinsmen that there +was a horrible thing impending over the people, dire +punishment: but they heeded this not at all. Then, 1320 +after several winters, the Changeless Lord saw that the +vast sea-house, Noe's vessel, towered up in readiness, +strengthened within and without with the best earth- +lime, against the waves; it is unique in its kind: the +harder the fierce waters of the dark billows beat it, the 1325 +stouter does it ever become. + + + + +XVI. + + +Then our Preserver spoke to Noe: "I give thee my +pledge for this, O dearest of mankind, that thou mayst +now take up thy course with the creatures of all kinds 1330 +which thou shalt bear across the deep water for many +days, in the bosom of thy vessel. Lead on board the +Ark, as I bid thee, thy sons, the three first-born, and +your four wives. And do thou take into the sea-house 1335 +seven [members] duly counted of each of the species that +live to [supply] nourishment for men, and two of each +of the others: likewise take on the Ark some of all plants +growing on earth used for food by the people who are 1340 +to sail over the floods with thee. Feed freely the differ- +ent species of animals, until I shall prepare a place under +heaven by my Word for those who are saved from this +watery journey. Depart now with thy household into 1345 +the Ark, with the multitude of dependent things; I know +thee for a good and true man: thou art worthy of +safety and mercy, with thy sons. In seven nights now I +shall let the deadly rain fall from above upon the face 1350 +of the broad earth. For forty days will I set my ven- +geance against mankind, and with a deluge blot out all +the possessions and possessors that are beyond the sides +of the Ark, when the black storm begins to descend." 1355 + +Then Noe left him, as our Preserver commanded, in +order to lead his children on board the Ark, men and their +wives together on the great ship; and all that God Al- +mighty wished to preserve for perpetuating their spe- +cies, went on board to their food-giver, as the Almighty 1360 +Lord of Hosts bade them through his word. With his +own hands, the Guardian of Heaven, Wielder of Victory, +locked the entrance of the sea-house behind them, and 1365 +our Saviour blessed [all] within the Ark with his own +grace. Noe, the son of Lamech, had 600 winters when +he embarked with his sons, at God's command,--that 1370 +wise man, with the young people, his dear kinsfolk. + +The Lord sent rain from heaven, and likewise let +the springs from every source rush upon the world far +and wide, [let] the dark ocean-streams burst forth in 1375 +tumult: the seas rose up over the boundaries of the +shore. Strong and stern was He who ruled the waters, +for he covered and shrouded with wan waters the accursed +wickedness of the sons of the earth and devastated the 1380 +land and homes of men: the Lord wreaked [his fury] +upon men for their offences. The sea cruelly gripped +the wretched folk for forty days, and nights as many +bitter was the suffering then, cruelly fateful to men. +The waves of the King of Glory drove the souls of the 1385 +vicious ones forth from their bodies. The flood covered +everything; turbid under the sky [it covered] the high +mountains over the broad earth, and on its crest raised +the Ark aloft from the ground, and its noble crew with it, +[the Ark] which the Lord Himself, our Creator, blessed, 1390 +when he locked the ship. Thereafter this best of ships +rode widely under the skies over the circle of the sea, +fared [forth] with its freight: the terrors of the flood 1395 +would have seized them with violence in the sea-traver- +sing vessel, but the Holy God led and preserved them. +Fifteen ells deep, by man's measure, stood the deluge +over the hills. That is a memorable occurrence: there 1400 +was nothing at hand for [the Ark] but destruction, +except that it was raised aloft into the upper air when +the inundation killed all creatures upon earth other than +those whom the Lord of Heaven saved on board the Ark, +when the Holy God everlasting, the steadfast King, let 1405 +[the flood] rise up with ever-increasing[18] stream. + + + + +XVII. + + +Then God, Wielder of Victory, was mindful of those +floating on the deep, the son of Lamech and all his 1410 +family, whom the Source of Light and Life had locked +up against the water in the bosom of the ship. The +Lord of mankind led the heroes by his Word over far +lands. Soon the flood began to abate; the deluge ebbed, +dark under the sky: the true God had turned back again 1405 +the foaming waves, for his children; the Glorious One +[had] stilled the cataracts of rain. For 150 nights under +the skies the foamy ship floated, from the time when +the well-nailed sides of this best of boats first arose +upon the flood until this number of days of dire time 1420 +had passed. Then the Ark of Noe, greatest of ocean- +homes, settled on high with its burden on the hills which +are called Armenia: there the pious son of Lamech 1425 +awaited the sure promises for a long time, when the +Keeper of Life, the Almighty King, gave him relief from +the perilous chances which he had long undergone, +when the dark waves bore him abroad on the deep over 1430 +far countries. + +The flood was sinking; the sea-farers, the heroes and +their wives, longed [for the time] when they might +venture to step out of their straitened quarters over the +well-nailed side out on the bank, and take their goods 1435 +out of their crowded home. So the guardian of the ship +tried to find out whether the waters were still sinking +under the clouds: accordingly, after many days from the +time the high mountain-sides received the possessions 1440 +and persons of the races of earth, the son of Lamech +let a black raven fly out of the Ark over the high flood. +Noe believed that if it found no land in its flight, it 1445 +would zealously seek him again on the ship over the wide +water. But this hope failed him; for the evil [bird] +alighted upon a floating corpse: the dark-feathered fowl +would not seek [further]. Then again after a week he sent +from the Ark a purple dove to fly over the high water 1450 +after the dark raven, for the purpose of finding out +whether the foamy sea, the ocean, had given up any +portion of the green earth, as yet. Widely she sought 1455 +her desired object, and flew afar: nowhere did she find +a resting-place, since she could not settle on land on foot +because of the flood, nor alight on a leaf of a tree +because of the waves; for the steep mountain-sides were 1460 +hidden by the waters. The wild bird set out in the +evening to seek the Ark over the dusky flood, and sank +weary and famished in the hands of the pious hero. +Then after a week the wild-dove was again sent out 1465 +from the Ark: she flew far, until greatly rejoicing she +found a fair place for rest and settled with her feet on +a tree; she exulted glad at heart, because exceedingly +weary [as she was] she could sit in the bright branches 1470 +of a tree: she shook out her wings and started to fly +back again with her gift, [for she] brought in her flight +an olive twig, green leaves, into the hands of one [on +board]. Then quickly the leader of the voyagers per- 1475 +ceived that solace had come, relief from their perilous +experience. So again after a third week the happy +man sent out a wild dove; it did not come flying back +to the ship, for it found land, green groves: the glad 1480 +creature did not wish to show itself ever again under the +pitch-smeared roof on the Ark, when there was no need. + + + + +XVIII. + + +Then to Noe spoke our Preserver, Ruler of Heaven, +with holy voice: + +"For you is a dwelling-place again appointed, fair 1485 +on the dry land, joys on earth and rest after your voyage. +Depart in peace out of the Ark, and lead forth upon the +bosom of the earth out of this lofty structure your com- +panions and all the creatures which I mercifully preserved 1490 +from the peril of the flood, while the deluge held sway +[and] covered your home with its abundance.[19]" + +He did so, and obeyed the Lord, stood forth upon the +strand, as the Voice bade him, and with great joy led 1495 +out of the ship the survivors of these perils. + +Then Noe began to institute a sacrifice to our Preserver, +and immediately took a part of all his possessions which +the Lord had given to him for his comfort, and then, 1500 +zealous for the offering, even to God Himself, King of +the Angels, the clear-souled man proffered the sacrifice. +Certainly our Saviour let it be known, when he blessed 1505 +Noe and his sons too, that [the patriarch] had given Him +this offering acceptably and in his youth had merited +by his good deeds that Almighty God, Glorious in +Splendor, should be gracious to him with all blessings. 1510 +Then again the Lord, Ruler of Glory, spoke a word to +Noe: + +"Increase now and multiply, enjoy your honor, with +the gladness of peace: fill the earth, make all things teem. +Into your possession is given a noble heritage, the produce 1515 +of the sea, the fowls of heaven, and the wild beasts,-- +the verdant earth and every treasure. You shall +never dishonorably procure your food through bloodshed, 1520 +sinfully stricken in its life-blood. Each one first of all +injures himself in the riches of the spirit, who with the +edge of the sword takes the life of another: nor shall +he dare to rejoice in thought over the spoils, for I will +avenge a man's death all the more severely upon the 1525 +slayer and upon the fratricide, in proportion as blood- +shed, the slaughter of a man with weapons, or murder by +[violent] hands, seems to succeed. Man was first created +in the likeness of God: every man has the form of the 1530 +Lord and of the Angels, whose virtues follow my holy +will. Increase and multiply, enjoy riches and honor on +earth. Fill the countries of the world with people, your +offspring, sons and daughters. I will set up for you this 1535 +my pledge, that I will never again let loose the floods +upon the earth, the waters over the broad lands: you +may see this witness frequently upon the clouds, when 1540 +I show my rainbow, [as proof] that I will certainly keep +this bond with men, while the world lasts." + +Thus was the prudent son of Lamech, the keeper of +the heritage, disembarked from his ship after the flood 1545 +with his three sons; and their four wives were named +Percoba, Olla, Olliva, and Ollivani,[20] saved from the +waters by the true God. The stout-minded heroes, 1550 +the sons of Noe, were called Sem and Cham, and the third +Iafeth: from these warriors the nations sprang and all +this earth was filled with the children of men. + + + + +XIX. + + +Then for the second time Noe began to establish his 1555 +home, with his kinsfolk, and to till the earth for food; +he struggled and toiled, planted a vineyard, sowed many +seeds and tended them carefully, so that the green 1560 +earth, with its fertile boon, brought him fair harvests. + +Then it befell once that the blessed man was in his +dwelling, drunken with wine; weary of feasting he slept, +and thrust the robe from his body, as was not fitting, and 1565 +lay there with naked limbs: little he noticed that it went +so ill with him in his hall, when intoxication in his breast +gripped his heart in the holy house. In this torpor his 1570 +intelligence was cruelly crippled, so that he could not +call to mind [the necessity for] covering himself with his +clothing and concealing his nakedness, as was ordained +for men and women, ever since the minister of Glory 1575 +locked the native abode of life behind our [first father] +and mother, with a fiery sword. Now Cam, the son +of Noe, chanced to come in where his father lay bereft +of consciousness: thereupon would he dutifully no honor 1580 +show to his own father nor at least conceal the dis- +grace from his kinsmen; but laughing aloud he told +his brothers how the patriarch rested in the house. +They repaired thither speedily, their faces carefully 1585 +veiled under cloaks, so that they bore aid to the dear +man: they were both good men, Sem and Iafeth. + +Then the son of Lamech awoke from his sleep and +soon perceived that Cham would not show him, the nobly 1590 +born, any affection and duty, when honor was due him. +That was bitter to the heart of the holy man, and he +began to curse his son with [harsh] words: he said that +Ham should be humbled under the heavens, the servant 1595 +of his kinsfolk on earth: on him and his race those +baneful words have fallen heavily, ever since. Then +Noe enjoyed his broad heritage with his sons, free men, +for 350 winters of this life after the flood: then he passed 1600 +away. + +After that his sons dispensed the treasures: they +begot children: great was their wealth. Thus to Iafeth +was progeny born, a pleasing family of promising young 1605 +ones, sons and daughters. He was a good man [and] +ever prosperously held his patrimony, [sharing his] +abundance with his children, until the treasure of his +breast, his spirit longing for release, was summoned to 1610 +the judgment of God: thereupon Geomor, Iafeth's son, +shared his father's property with his friends, dear ones, +and relatives; with his descendants was filled by genera- +tion no small portion of the earth.-- + +Sons of Cham were born, likewise, heirs for the pa- 1615 +trimony: the eldest were called Chus and Cham, very +noble of soul, the first-born of Cham. Chus was the +chief of the leaders, dispenser of treasure and worldly 1620 +riches to his brothers, the private property of his father, +after Cham fared forth from the body when death fell +to his lot. This leader of the people delivered judgments 1625 +for his race until the number of his days had run: then +the hero yielded up this world's goods and sought another +life. After that, the son of Chus, first-born of the +brothers, ruled the paternal[21] heritage, a widely known 1630 +man. So the Scriptures tell us, that he had the greatest +might and strength of all mankind, in those days: he +was a prince of the Babylonian Empire, and first of the +nobles raised, spread, and exalted its fame. At that 1635 +time one tongue was still common to all dwellers on +earth. + + + + +XX. + + +Likewise from Cam's stock sprang many descendants, +and to these numerous people great families were born.-- + +Furthermore many sons and daughters were born into 1640 +the world to Sem, noble folk, before the ruler of men +took to his death-bed, in the course of years. In this +family were good men, of whom one was called Eber, a 1645 +son of Sem: from this chief sprang a multitude of people, +whom all nations and earth-dwellers now call Hebrews. + +They set out then to take their posssesions from the +eastward, live-stock and treasure; the people were un- 1650 +animous: the vigorous heroes sought a less crowded land, +until the migrating folk in great multitudes came where +their noble leaders firmly took possession. The rulers 1655 +of the people settled with their dear followers in Sennar, +ample and broad; in the years of their life the fields +were ever verdant and the earth fair for the people at +that time, with increasing abundance of each [kind of] 1661 +treasure. + +Then many a man argued with his dear friend, one +resolute hero with another, that for their greater glory, +before the masses of the people should scatter again over 1665 +the earth, numbers of the nation in search of land, they +should build a city and raise up a tower to the stars of +heaven as a sign that they had sought Sennar fields because +the mighty fore-fathers of the race, the patriarchs, long 1670 +lived there with pleasure: with craft the people wrought, +in labor and industry, until in arrogance and rashness they +showed their skill, built a fortress and raised aloft scaling- 1675 +ladders towards heaven, mightily erected a solid stone wall +beyond man's measure, eager for glory:--[all this did] the +heroes with their hands. Then Holy God came to inspect +the work of the race of men, the fortress of the warriors, 1680 +and that beacon-tower likewise which the sons of Adam +began to rear up to the skies; and the steadfast King +achieved the prevention of this evil design, when in +wrath he distributed different languages among the 1685 +inhabitants of earth, so that they no longer had control +of their speech. They found then multitudes at the +tower with victorious strength, leaders of work in vast +battalions: but not one of the tribes understood what 1690 +another was saying. It could not be, that they should +build up the stone wall further; but they wretchedly +parted in bands separated by their speech: one had +become to another a strange race, after the Lord by the 1695 +fullness of his might had confused the speech of men. +The disunited sons of the patriarchs then parted in +four directions to seek land: behind them, both the 1700 +mighty tower of stone and the lofty city stood on Sennar +[plain] together, half-finished. + +Then the race of Sem increased and multiplied under +the clouds, until a man arose in the number of that +kingly people, a sagacious man, prudent in habit. To 1705 +this nobleman sons were born, two free children were +born in Babylon, and these chieftains, strong-minded +heroes, were called Abraham and Aaron. The Sovereign 1710 +of the Angels was friend and guide to both these leaders. +Then to Aaron was born a son, upright in life, whose +name was Loth. Thereafter the righteous heroes, +Abraham and Loth, throve nobly in the Lord's sight, as 1715 +the inheritance in the kingdom came to them from their +parents; therefore they widely glorified the sons of men +with gifts. + + + + +XXI. + + +Now the period of time had come when Abraham 1720 +brought a wife, a fair and free-born bride to his house, +where he possessed a dwelling: the woman was named +Sarra, as the books tell us. They enjoyed life thus for +many winters, held the property together in peace for 1725 +many years. But it was not vouchsafed to Abraham +as yet that his bright-faced bride should bring into the +world a guardian for his heritage, that Sarra [should +bear] sons and daughters to Abraham. + +Then Abraham's father set out with his family and 1730 +[all] his substance to pass through the Caldean country: +he wisely wished to seek the land of Canan, with his +household. The cousins chosen by the Lord, Abraham +and Loth, went with him out of their heritage. Then 1735 +the nobly-born sons of the patriarchs took up their +dwelling in Carran, the men with their wives. In his +home here Abraham's father departed this life, the 1740 +steadfast worthy: he had told 205 winters, in all, when +he fared forth ripe in years to meet his fate. + +Then the holy Guardian of the heavenly kingdom, the 1745 +Eternal Lord, spoke to Abraham: + +"Set forth now, and take thy movable possessions and +fertile herds with thee. Give up Carran, thy father's +dwelling-place. Depart, as I bid thee, O dearest of +men, and heed well my instructions, and seek the land 1750 +which I shall show thee, a broad verdant country. Thou +shalt live blessed under my protection: if any of the +dwellers on earth greet thee with evil, I will set upon 1755 +them my curse and my hatred, long-lasting affliction; +and I shall give favors, abundance of blessings, to those +who treat thee well. Through thee shall all earth- +dwellers, sons of man, receive peace and friendship, 1760 +my grace and blessing, in this world. Far spreading +under the sun shall be the number of thy race by [the +birth of] sons and daughters, until many a region of the 1765 +earth shall be filled with thy progeny." + +Then Abraham, preëminently upright, rich, and blessed +with gold and silver, set out to take his flocks and +possessions from Carran into the country of Egipt, as 1770 +the Warder of Victory, our Ruler, bade him through his +Word: they sought the land and nation of Canan. Thus +the man dear to God came to lead his wife, his dear bed- 1775 +fellow, and his nephew's wife, into this inheritance, into +happiness. He had [numbered] 75 winters when he +had to fare forth, to give up Carran and his kinsfolk. +So Abraham set out, mindful of the instructions of the 1780 +Father Almighty, to look for the broad land beyond +these nations, at his Lord's command, until prospering +in his journey the courageous man came to Siem, of the +Cananite race. Then the Lord and King of the Angels, +Sovereign of men, manifested himself to Abraham and 1785 +said: + +"This is the country, verdant and bright and adorned +with fruits, that I intend to give into the power of thy +descendants, an ample kingdom!" 1790 + +Then the good man built an altar and offered sacrifice +to the Ruler of Life and Source of Light, the Protector +of souls. Thereupon Abraham traveled still further from +the east in order to search with his eyes for the choicest 1795 +of lands (he remembered the favors, God's promises, +which the King of Victory Himself truthfully declared +to him through his holy word), until the people came with +their possessions to the place where the town is called +Bethlem: the glad-hearted chieftain and his brother's 1800 +son, pious men, went forward over the storied land from +the east, with their possessions, over the precipitous +mountain-sides, and chose a dwelling-place for them- +selves where the fields seemed bright and fair to them. 1805 + + + + +XXII. + + +There Abraham for the second time built an altar: +there he called upon God with noble words, and offered +sacrifice to the Lord of his life. Not at all sparingly +did God, through His own hand, give him reward for +this,--rich bounty, in the very place of sacrifice. 1810 + +There for a while the wise leader dwelt in his home +and enjoyed happiness, the hero with his bride, until a +frightful calamity began to press upon the Cananite +race, cruel hunger, deadly to home-staying men. Then 1815 +the wise Abraham, chosen by the Lord, went into Egypt +to seek sustenance; the sage fled before evil: the plague +was too strong. Abraham spoke,--for he saw the white 1820 +pinnacled halls of Egypt and the tall cities shining +brightly,--and then the ruler, the sagacious man, began +to instruct his wife, in these words: + +"When many haughty Egyptians shall gaze with +their eyes upon thy countenance, then should the nobly- 1825 +born chieftains suppose, O woman fair as a goddess, that +thou art my bright bed-fellow whom some one of the +warriors will wish to have for himself, then I may well +fear for myself lest some one of my foes may deprive 1830 +me of life with the edge of his sword by reason of his +amorous desire. Say then, Sarra, that thou art my +sister, my blood-relation, when the strange men ask +thee what degree of familiarity may exist between us 1835 +two foreigners, who come from so far away: hold fast +true speech from them, and thus thou shalt preserve +my life,--if the Lord of Peace, our Almighty Ruler, +grant me longer life in this world, as he did before, who 1840 +ordained these travels for us in order that we might seek +aid and secure sustenance for ourselves in Egipt." + +Thereupon Abraham, the vigorous leader, proceeded 1845 +with his possessions into Egypt, where the people were +strange to him, and friends unknown. Many haughty +men spoke of the beauty of his wife in their remarks, +men distinguished by their wealth: to many high-spirited 1850 +men, vassals of the king, his wife seemed noble in counte- +nance. They brought the news to their liege-lord, and[22] +few women did they repute fairer before the king, but +they lauded exceedingly Sarra's countenance for its 1855 +great beauty, until he bade them bring the lovely woman +to his own hall. The ruler of the people and chief of +the nobles bade them enrich Abraham with treasures. +But the Lord God became aggrieved and incensed against 1860 +Farao for his love of the woman: the joy of his house- +hold[23] bore this wrath hardly with his intimates. How- +ever, the ruler of the people perceived what the Lord +was sending upon him for punishment: urged on by 1865 +fear, the king of Egipt called Abraham to him and gave +him his bride, [returned] his wife into his keeping, bade +him seek friends elsewhere, noblemen of another race. +Then the ruler of the country ordered his vassals and 1870 +ministers to escort him out of their land again, honor- +ably, uninjured in any respect, so that he might be in +peace. + +Then Abraham took [all his] possessions out of the +country of Egypt: these worthy heroes took their wives, 1875 +both brides and rings, while they brought their flocks +to Bethlem, a familiar dwelling-place, [brought] their +womenfolk and treasures and their worldly goods. 1880 +Then they began to build there, and to erect their city +and settle their homes, and renew their prosperity. +The men built an altar in the meadows near the one that +Abraham had formerly reared to his Lord, when he +came to this western land: there the fortunate man 1885 +exalted the Name of the Eternal Lord once more; the +high-minded ruler offered sacrifice to the King of the +Angels, thanked exceedingly the Source of Light and +Life for his happiness and honor. + + + + +XXIII. + + +Abraham and Loth lived in these dwellings and had 1890 +abundance of prosperity, ruled over their heritage, until +they could not enjoy plenty together any longer in that +land and keep the possessions of both there, but the +worthy warriors had to seek broader seats elsewhere. 1895 +There were often dissensions among the followers of the +steadfast heroes, quarrels among the herdsmen. Then +the blessed Abraham, mindful of their honor, began to +speak fairly to Loth: 1900 + +"I am thy father's born brother, thou art my nephew; +quarrels shall not wax great between us, nor anger +grow: may God forbid that! But we are blood-re- +lations: between us shall nothing be except, most fit- 1905 +tingly, long-enduring love. Now bethink thee, Loth, +that about our borders dwell mighty men, powerful +peoples with lords and vassals, the Cananite and Feretite +nations, with energetic warriors: their landed property 1910 +will not make any more room for us. Therefore shall +we remove our differences from this place and seek +broader dwelling-places for ourselves: I speak what is +best for us both, son of Aron, a true saying. I leave 1915 +the choice to thee, dear friend. Ponder with thyself +and consider in thy heart in which direction thou wilt +take thy departure, go forth with thy herds: now I have +yielded thee the choice!" + +Then Loth left him to seek land by the Iordan, fertile 1920 +country: it was refreshed with waters and enriched with +fruits, bright with rivers, and like to the earthly par- +adise of God, until God the Saviour because of men's 1925 +sins gave Sodoma and Gomorra to destruction, to the +dark flames. So the son of Aron chose his dwelling- +place there, a settlement in the city of Sodoma, and +brought[24] thither all his possessions, rings and private 1930 +property from Bethlem, goods, and wrought gold. For +many years thereafter he dwelt by the Iordan: fair +dwelling-places were there, but vicious men also, hateful +to the Lord. The people of Sodoma were bold in sin, 1935 +shameful in their deeds: they brought upon themselves +eternal woe. Loth would never adopt the customs of +the country, but he always eschewed the habits of this +people, [their] evil and sin, even though he had to live 1940 +in their land, and kept himself pure, virtuous, and pa- +tient, even in this nation, just as if--mindful of [his +Lord's] teaching--he did not know what these people +were doing. + +Abraham dwelt by the habitations of the Cananites: 1945 +the King of the Angels, Lord of mankind, held him under +his protection, with abundance of good things and +worldly treasures, love and joy; therefore the races of 1950 +men, children of baptism, sing his praise widely under +the clouds. Pious and prudent, he freely obeyed the +Lord in his land as long as he enjoyed the heritage: +never need a defenceless human being ever become in +any way a terrified and fearful man before the Lord, 1955 +if he will always, until his departure from life, thank +Him heedfully in speech and in heart, by word and deed, +with wise mind after every favor.[25] + + + + +XXIV. + + +Then I found that the king of the Elamites, Orlahomar, 1960 +a pious leader, made an expedition: in aid of him Am- +brafel set forth from Sennar with a great multitude. +Four kings then set out with mighty power to seek 1965 +Sodoma and Gomorra, southward from there. Then was +the country of the men by Iordan widely besieged by +warriors, the land [was surrounded] by foes. Many +a terrified pale-cheeked maiden would have to go trem- 1970 +bling to the embrace of a stranger: the defenders of +the brides and rings would fall, weak with wounds. +Against them with warlike zeal five kings came forth 1975 +from the south, with their armies, who wished to rid +the city of Sodoma of its foes: for twelve winters before +of necessity they had had to yield tribute and pay +indemnity to the men of the north, until the people +no longer would enrich the king of the Elamites with 1980 +their own treasures, but revolted from him. + +In rage the slaughter-hordes came together: the jav- +elins were loud; the dark fowl sang among the flying +weapons, the dewy-feathered [raven] looked for the slain. 1985 +The warriors rushed on in cohorts with unfaltering cour- +age, until the nations' armies had come together widely, +from south and north, protected by their helmets. There +was bitter struggle, exchanges of deadly spears, great 1990 +tumult of war, loud din of conflict. The heroes drew +from the sheath with their hands the ring-mailed sword, +keen of edge. Then was booty easy to find for the +chieftain who before this was not readily sated with 1995 +battle! The northern men were fatal to the southern +men: the men of Sodoma and Gomorra, dispensers of +gold, were bereft of their dear allies at the shield-clash- +ing. They went forth from their homesteads to save 2000 +themselves by flight; behind them the youths of the race +fell, slain by the sword, [and] their allies [were] cleft with +the edge. The leader of the army of the Elamites had 2005 +victory in battle, was master of the battlefield. The +survivors of the weapons fled to seek fastnesses. The +enemy seized upon gold, robbed with devastation the +treasure-cities of the people, Sodoma and Gomorra. Then +misery requited the great strongholds; the maidens, 2010 +wives, and widows, deprived of friends, departed from +their homesteads. The enemy led out with them from +the city of Sodoma, with their spoils, the kinsman of +Abraham. + +We may now relate this true history further, as to +what was the fate of the war-wolves after the battle, 2015 +who carried off Loth and the goods of the people, the +treasures of the southlanders, [and] exulted in victory. + +A warrior, a survivor of the sword who was spared +in battle, escaped from them suddenly, to seek Abraham: 2020 +he reported to the Ebrew chieftain the outcome of the +fray,--the people of Sodoma sorely stricken, the nation's +wealth, and Loth's situation. Thereupon Abraham re- +ported the evil tidings to his friends; the steadfast hero 2025 +requested aid of his favorite companions, Aner, Mamre, +and thirdly Escol, saying that it would be gall to his +heart and bitterest grief if his nephew should have to 2030 +suffer slavery: bade the warriors famed in battle think of +some plan so that his dear kinsman might be freed, the +hero with his bride. In reply the three brothers, famed +in war, with great readiness assuaged his grief by their 2035 +hardy words, and pledged their troth to Abraham that +they would avenge his injury upon his foes, with him, +or else fall in battle. + +Then the holy man bade his companions take their 2040 +weapons: he found there 318 spear-bearing warriors, +loyal to their ruler, of whom he knew that every one +could well support the tawny linden-shield in an onset. 2045 +So Abraham set out with the three chieftains who had +just pledged their troth to him, and the band of their +followers. He wished to rescue his kinsman at least, +Loth, from suffering.[26] These warriors were famous: +they bore their shields forth boldly on the march. The 2050 +war-wolves, [meanwhile], had nearly reached their +camping-place: then the prudent man, the son of Thare, +spoke to his war-leaders in these words, (great was his +need!), that they[27] should advance on the enemy in two 2055 +divisions with grim conflict and hard swordplay: said, +[further], that the Holy Lord Everlasting might easily +give him success in the spear-fight. + +Then I heard how under the cover of night the heroes 2060 +ventured on into battle: the din of shields and shafts +arose in their sleeping-quarters, the slaughter of archers +and impact of battle-arrows; sharp swords smote hate- +fully under the breast of men, and the bodies of foes 2065 +fell thickly, where the exulting heroes and comrades +were bringing together the spoil. Victory, men's glory +in war, turned aside again from the battle of the north- +men. Abraham gave armed conflict and not in any 2070 +wise wrought gold, as ransom for his nephew; he slew +and felled the enemy in fair fight: to aid him, the Guard- +ian of the heavenly kingdom took [a part in the fray]. +The four armies were put to flight, [with] the kings and +leaders of the people: behind them pressed the joyful 2075 +band and [there] the heroes were slain; the others were +given over to flight,--those who had stolen the gold of +Sodom and Gomorra, and robbed the stewards: fiercely did 2080 +the uncle of Loth requite them for it. The noble leaders +of the Elamites were fleeing, bereft of power, until they +were not far from Domascus. Then Abraham set out on 2085 +the war-track to see the retreat of the wicked men. Lot +was freed, the chieftain with his possessions, [while] the +women [and] wives were restored to joy. Far and wide +they saw the birds of prey rending the murderers of free- +men in sword-slaughter. Abraham brought back again 2090 +the treasure and brides of the southlanders, the children +of the nobles nearer their homes, the maidens to their +families. Of all men living here [on earth], no one ever +achieved a more worthy military expedition with a 2095 +small force which was attacking so great a multitude. + + + + +XXV. + + +Then the people of Sodoma was southward from +there, to bear the news as to what rout of their fierce +foes had occurred. Forthwith the king of the people, +bereft of his nobles and stripped of friends, went out to +meet Abraham; he brought with him the master of the 2100 +treasure of Solomia: that was the great Melchisedec, +bishop of the people. He came with gifts to greet fairly +the prince of the warriors, [to approach] Abraham honor- 2105 +ably, and he pronounced upon him the blessing of God +and spoke thus: + +"Highly wert thou exalted among the number of heroes +before the eyes of Him who gave thee the glory of the ash- +spear in battle: that is God himself, who mightily de- +stroyed the forces of the hostile armies and let thee with 2110 +thy weapons hew out bloody paths broadly [through the +foe], regain the booty, and fell the warriors. They were +encamped by the way: nor could the withdrawing army +prevail in hand-to-hand conflict, but God put it to flight, 2115 +who with His own hands preserved thee with thy warriors +in the fight, against the terror of superior numbers, and +[so likewise] the sacred pledge [preserved thee] which thou +rightfully holdest with the Keeper of the skies." + +With his own hand the hero gave him a return for this 2120 +blessing, and Abraham bestowed upon the bishop of God +the value of every tenth part of the army's booty. Then +spoke the war-king, ruler of Sodoma, bereft of his people, +to Abraham, (to him mercy was needful): 2125 + +"Give me back the maidens of my people, whom thou +by the might of thy army hast snatched from the deadly +bonds of the foe. Keep thou the wrought gold which +formerly was the property of our people, [keep] the 2130 +herds and the treasure. Only let me lead back again +in freedom, to their hearths and desolated homes, the +children of the people, the wives and boys and wretched +widows. The young men, my companions, who should have 2135 +held the borders with me, are dead, [all] but a very few." + +Then Abraham answered him straightway, in the pres- +ence of the chieftains exalted in valor, power, and vic- +tory, and nobly said: + +"Ruler of the people, I pledge to thee this my word, 2140 +before the Holy One who is sole Master of heaven and +this earth: there is no worldly treasure that I will take +for my own, neither riches nor money of thine which I +have rescued from the [hostile] bowmen, O great king, +protector of thy nobles, lest thou oft hereafter say that 2145 +I became rich on earth through the treasure and former +wealth of the kingdom of Sodom;[28] but thou shalt +take hence the booty which I regained for thee in battle, 2150 +all except the shares of these noble warriors, Aner, and +Mamre, and Escol. I am unwilling to deprive these +warriors of their rights: for they stood by me in the +combat, and fought in your behalf. Go now and take +home the wrought gold and the beloved maidens, the 2155 +womenfolk of thy people. Thou needst not fear for +a while the attack of the hostile warriors, the battle +of the northmen, for the birds of prey sit all smeared +with blood, among the fastnesses of the mountains, well 2160 +gorged with the slaughter of the armies." + +So the king set out on his return home with the spoils +which the pious lord of the Hebrews, regardful of honor, +gave up to him. + +Then again to Abraham the High-King of Heaven 2165 +showed himself, with holy speech comforted the wise- +hearted man, and spoke to him thus: + +"Great are thy rewards. Let not now thy heart +grow idle, thou steadfast [doer] of my will. Nor needst +thou fear anyone, while thou heedest my commandment, +for with my own hands will I shelter and shield thee 2170 +during thy life-time here against every woe: thou +needst not be fearful." + + + + +XXVI. + + +Then Abraham, famed for his deeds, answered his +Lord and asked Him, in the fullness of his days: + +"O Ruler of spirits, what dost thou give me for free- 2175 +men's solace, now that I am thus solitary? I have no +need to found an ancestral seat for any sons of mine, but +after me shall my distant kinsmen dispose of my goods; +thou hast not given me a son, and therefore sorrows +weigh upon me very heavily in my heart; I myself can 2180 +not devise any counsel. My steward goes rejoicing in +his sons, and is firmly persuaded in his thoughts that +after me his sons shall be the keepers of the heritage: +they see that no children are born to me of my bride." + +To him then at once God answered: 2185 + +"Never shall thy steward possess the heritage of thy +sons: but thine own children shall hold the treasure, +when thy flesh lies [in the grave]. Behold the sky. Count +those jewels, the stars of heaven, which now freely scatter 2190 +their glorious radiance far and wide to shine brilliantly +over the broad surface of the sea. Such shall be the +multitude of thy descendants, rich in progeny. Let not +thy heart be bound by sorrow. A son shall yet be born 2195 +to thee, a child born of thy wife by ordinary birth, who +after thee shall be the keeper of the inheritance, rich in +property. Grieve no more: I am the Lord, who many +winters ago led thee out of the stronghold of Caldea 2200 +with but few followers, and promised thee a broad +dwelling-place for thy possession: I give thee now my +pledge, man of the Hebrews, that many a broad land +on this earth shall be peopled with thy progeny, regions 2205 +of the world as far as Eufrates even from the borders +of Egypt, as many men and as wide a kingdom as the +Nile cuts off and the sea bounds: all this shall thy sons 2210 +own, each of the countries, as these three waters sur- +round with their streams the lofty cities of stone, the +foamy floods [surround] the refuge of the people." + +Then Sarra was grieved at heart that no son had come 2215 +to Abraham through their wedlock, a free-born heir for +their solace; so the sorrowful one began to speak to her +husband in these words: + +"The Ruler of heaven has denied me this, that I 2220 +might augment the number of thy family under the +skies with sons of thine own. Now I am hopeless that +an heir will ever be given us together: I am too old, in +my misery. My lord, do as I bid thee. Here is a 2225 +woman, a fair damsel, an Egiptian maid in our possession: +bid her now repair to thy bed forthwith, and see if +the Lord will allow any heir for thy goods to come into 2230 +the world through this woman!" + +Then the holy man yielded to the advice of his wife, +and bade the handmaiden go to his couch as a bride.[29] 2235 +Her spirit exalted itself, when she had become pregnant +with a man-child by Abraham; stiff-necked in scorn she +began to despise her mistress, showed insolence, was +overweening, and was unwilling to endure servitude but 2240 +boldly began to resist Sarra strongly. + +Then I heard how the wife spoke to her husband in the +sorrow of her heart, with these words; sad in mind she +spoke, and said bitterly: + +"Thou dost not deal properly and rightfully with me. 2245 +Thou hast hitherto allowed it to happen that my hand- +maiden afflict me every day by deed and word, ever +since Agar entered thy bed in place of thy wife, as was +my entreaty: she shall pay for this mercilessly, if I 2250 +may still control mine own before thee, dear Abraham; +of this may the Almighty Lord of Lords be judge +between us two!" + +The wise-minded man then answered her at once in 2255 +these words: + +"Never shall I leave thee without honor, while we +both live; but thou must manage thine own maid as +pleases thy heart!" + + + + +XXVII. + + +Then Abraham's queen became unkind, wrathful in 2260 +heart towards her serving-maid, hard and cruel, spoke +bitter insults to the woman. Thereupon the latter fled +from threat and thraldom: she would not endure evil +and retribution for what she had formerly done to Sarra, 2265 +but went forth on a journey to go into the wilderness. +There a servant of glory, an angel of the Lord, found her +sorrowing; he eagerly asked her: + +"Whither do you intend to push your journey, my 2270 +poor woman? Sarre owns thy service!" + +She answered him at once: + +"Deprived of every pleasure, jeered out of the house +by the hatred of my mistress, I have fled from woes, +afflictions, and injuries. Now with tear-stained cheek +must I await my fate[30] in the wilderness, [the time] 2275 +when hunger or a wolf removes life and sorrow together +from my heart." + +Then the angel answered her: + +"Seek not thou in flight far hence to avoid thy con- 2280 +cubinage, but return again, earn honor for thyself, begin +submissively to cultivate dutifulness, become dear to +thy master. Thou shalt, Agar, bring a son into the world +to Abraham: with my word I tell thee now that this 2285 +man-child shall be called Ismahel, among men. He +shall be rough, warlike, hostile to the races of men and +to his own kinsfolk: many a one shall struggle against 2290 +him in wrath, with assault of arms. From this prince +nations shall spring, numberless peoples. Depart now +to seek thy master again: live with those who own thee!" + +In accordance with the angel's command, she at once +returned to her lord, as the holy spirit-messenger of God 2295 +bade her, in sapient speech. Thus was Ismael born to +Abraham, even when he had [lived] 86 winters in the +world. The son grew and flourished, as the angel, the 2300 +true minister of peace, had promised to the woman by +his own word. + +About thirteen years after that, the Lord and Ever- +lasting King spoke with Abraham: + +"Dear man, as I command thee, so do thou keep well +our covenant: I will to all time exalt thee in blessings. 2305 +Be thou zealously observant of my will in thy deeds: +I will still further confirm with truth the pledge which +I gave to thee as earnest of comfort, when thy spirit +grieved. Thou shalt hallow thy household: set a true 2310 +sign of victory on each one of the male sex, if thou wilt +have in me a Master or dear Friend of thy race. I shall +[always] be keeper and sustainer of this people, if thou 2315 +dost obey me in thy innermost thoughts and art willing +to fulfil my commands. In his infancy shall every +individual of the male sex in this race, about seven nights +after he comes into the world, be marked for me with 2320 +the sign of victory, or from the face of the earth be +driven far through my hostility, thrust out from his +possessions. Do as I bid: I will be true to you all, if +ye bear that sign with true faith. Thou shalt possess 2325 +a son, a child by thy wife, whom men shall all call Isaac. +Nor needst thou be ashamed of this son: but I will give +to this man-child my divine gifts, by the might of the +spirit, abundance of friends, with prosperity. He shall 2330 +receive my grace and blessing, love and favor. From +this prince shall come broad nations, shall arise many +famous warriors, keepers of kingdoms, world-kings widely 2335 +renowned." + + + + +XXVIII. + + +Then Abraham in haste laid his cheek on the earth, +and with scorn turned over these words in his mind, the +thoughts of his heart: at that period of time he himself 2340 +did not believe that Sarra, his grey-haired bride, could +bring a son into the world to him; he knew well that his +wife had already numbered at least one hundred winters, +by actual reckoning. So then, wise in years, he spoke 2345 +thus to the Lord: + +"May Ismael live according to Thy commandments, +Lord, and give thee thanks with wise and steady mind +and stout heart, doing Thy will day and night in word 2350 +and deed!" + +Then the Almighty King and Everlasting Lord an- +swered him fairly: + +"Though much worn in years, Sarra shall bring a son +into the world to thee; the future shall truly proceed in 2355 +accordance with these words here pronounced. I will now +bless with my grace Ismael, as thou art petitioner, for +thy first born, so that he may dwell many days in the +kingdom of this world with spreading progeny; be thou 2360 +sure of that! But Isaac thy son, the young child who +has not yet come into the world, I will distinguish ex- +ceedingly with abundance of joys and every kind of +riches, in his days, and certainly leave in his heart my 2365 +pledge and holy faith, and be kind to him." + +Abraham did as the Eternal bade him, set the sign +of peace on his son, by the Lord's command, and bade 2370 +every one of his household of the male sex bear that +high sign,--wise in heart, and mindful of the pledge +which God had given him as assurance of good faith,-- +and then himself received the exalted sign. The Lord 2375 +and Just King continually advanced his glory in the +kingdom of this world, with blessings: He wrought this +for him as soon as he might first perform the will of his +Master in [every] expedition....[31] + +Then the woman laughed at the Lord of Mankind not 2380 +at all mirthfully, but full of years she laid away this +promise in her mind with much scorn: she did not +believe it true that the fulfilment of this promise was to +follow. But when the Ruler of Heaven heard that the 2385 +wife of Abraham had given way to hopeless laughter, +in her bower, then the Holy God said: + +"Sarra will not believe in the truth of my word: +nevertheless this decree shall be fulfilled, as I promised 2390 +thee at first. I tell thee truth, at this very season a son +shall be born of thy wife: when I return to this same +dwelling another time, then shall my promise of increase +be fulfilled: thou shalt look upon a son, thine own child, 2395 +dear Abraham!" + + + + +XXIX. + + +Then at once, after this speech, they departed with +speed, eager to be gone; from the place of the confer- +ence, the holy spirits made their way (the power[32] of 2400 +light itself was in their midst!) until they could look +upon Sodom, the lofty city: they saw palaces tower up +above treasures, halls above red gold. Then the right- +eous Ruler of the skies began to speak with Abraham, 2405 +gave him no little information. + +"In this city I hear tumult, the din of sinners ex- +ceedingly loud, the vain-glory of those drunk with ale; +evil speech have the people, behind their walls: for the 2410 +sins of the race, of the treacherous apostates, are heavy. +I will now find out what the men are doing, O man of +the Hebrews, [to see] whether they [actually] commit +sins so grossly in their habits and thoughts as they +perversely speak of crimes and vices: sulphur and black 2415 +flame, sorely and grimly, hotly and vehemently, shall +avenge this on the heathenish people." + + + + +XXX. + + +The men with their wives were approaching their +punishment, sufferings within their walls: arrogant in +riches, they requited the Lord for their prosperity with 2420 +insult, until the Protector of spirits, the Source of Light +and Life, would tolerate their offence no longer: but to +them the steadfast King sent two strong messengers +of his, who arrived at eventide at the fortress of Sodoma, 2425 +in their traveling. At the city-gate they found the +warrior, the son of Aron, sitting by himself, so that they +appeared before the eyes of the wise man as young men. +Then the servant of the Lord arose before the spirits, 2430 +went forward to greet the strangers civilly, thought their +demeanor very proper and agreeable, and invited the +men to be his guests for the night. The noble messengers +of our Preserver answered him thus: + +"For the courtesy which you have extended to us, 2435 +accept our thanks. In this street we expect quietly +to wait for the time when the Lord shall let the sun +[go] forth again for the morning." + +Then humbly Loth[33] bowed at the feet of the strangers 2440 +and eagerly offered them the repose and refreshments +and shelter and service of his dwelling. They accepted +thankfully the benevolence of the good man, and followed +him forthwith inside his walls, as the Hebrew chieftain +invited them. There in his hall the generous wise- 2445 +souled man gave them fair hospitality, until twilight +departed: then came night, after the close of day, and +veiled with darkness the lake-streams, seas, and broad 2450 +land, and [all] the pomp of this life. Then the men of +Sodoma came, young and old, hateful to God, to demand +the strangers, with a great throng so that they surrounded 2455 +Loth and his guests by the multitude of their force; +they bade [him] lead out of the lofty hall the holy mess- +engers [and put] the men in their power; they said +openly in words that they would have intercourse with +the men shamefully, and had no regard for decency. Then 2460 +Loth, who often knew what was best, quickly arose in his +house, and went out at once; and the son of Aron, mindful +of his cunning, spoke thus over all the mass of people: + +"Here are within two spotless [maidens], my daughters: 2465 +neither of these damsels knows intercourse as yet through +sleeping with a man: do then as I bid you, and cease +from this sin. I give them both to you, before you +commit this vileness against nature, heinous evil against 2470 +the sons of men. Receive these maidens and let my +guests go free, since I will defend them against you as +well as I can, before God!" + +Thereupon the crowd, the shameless race, answered 2475 +him through common consent: + +"It seems very right and fitting that thou shouldst +depart out of this neighborhood, thou who bereft of +friends and with the step of an exile soughtest this people +from afar, in thy need: wilt thou, if thou mayst, be our 2480 +ruler here, the teacher of the people?" + +Then I heard of Loth how the heathen masses gripped +him with their hands, with hostile grasp: his guests +aided him well and the righteous strangers drew him 2485 +out of the clutches of the enemy back within the walls, +and then speedily closed fast the eyesight of every one +of the people of Sodoma standing around: the whole 2490 +crowd of citizens forthwith became blind; nor could +they, in their evil rage, break into the house after the +guests, as they intended, but the messengers of God +were [too] active for them; the stranger had power, irre- 2495 +sistible vigor, and was very severe upon the people in +[inflicting] punishment. Then the dear ministers of +peace spoke fairly to Loth, in these words: + +"If thou hast a son, or dear relative, or any friend +among these people besides these maidens whom we see 2500 +here, lead out of this city those who are dear to thee, with +great haste, and save thine own life, lest thou perish +with these law-breakers. For the Lord has commanded +us, because of the people's sins, to give over Sodoma and 2505 +Gomorra to black flame and fire, and to slay these people, +[striking] the race in their cities with deadly horrors, +and so wreak His wrath [upon them]. It has nearly +reached the appointed time. Set out on thy way, to +save thy life: the Lord is merciful to thee...."[34] 2510 + +Loth then hastily answered them: + +"I cannot, with these womenfolk, seek my safety +so far from here in a journey on foot. You manifest +to me kindness and fair friendship, you grant me grace 2515 +and good-will. I know a lofty town near here, a little +fortress: leave me there, in honor and peace, so that we +may seek safety above, in Sigor. If you will protect that 2520 +lofty fastness from the fire, we can abide in that place +unharmed, in safety, and so preserve our lives." + +Then the righteous angels answered him benevol- 2525 +ently: + +"Thou shalt be successful in this petition, now thou +speakest about that city: withdraw immediately to that +fastness. We shall keep thee in peace and safety. We +must not wreak the wrath of God upon these law- 2530 +breakers and destroy the sinful race, before thou hast +led thy children and wife likewise into Sægor." + +Then the kinsman of Abraham set out for the fastness: +the chieftain did not spare the pace for his womenfolk, 2535 +but he pushed his steps most hastily until he had brought +his wife and children to the citadel of Sægor. When the +sun rose, [when] the peaceful luminary of the nations +went forth, then, I have heard, the Master of Glory sent 2540 +sulphur out of heaven, and swart flame for the punish- +ment of men, swelling fire, since they had offended the +Lord for a long period in former days: thus the Ruler of +spirits gave them retribution. Utmost terror seized upon 2545 +the heathen race: tumult arose in the city, the outcry +of the accursed race over shameful death, just beginning. +The flame seized upon all that it found green, in the rich +city, just as around outside no small portion of the broad 2550 +earth was filled with conflagration and terror: trees +and earth's harvests turned to ashes and embers, even +as far as the avenging curse direly extended over the 2555 +broad country of the people. The devastating fire +rushing on in tumult devoured all things together, far +and wide, that men had owned in the cities of Sodoma +and Gomorra: all this, together with the people, God 2560 +the Lord destroyed. + +When Loth's wife, his bride in the city, heard the din +of fire, the death of the people, then she looked back- +ward [to see] this devastation. The Scriptures tell us +that she immediately turned into the likeness of a pillar +of salt: ever since then this statue has stood there 2565 +motion less (this is a strange story), where she incurred +this severe penalty because she would not obey the +ministers of glory in their commands: now, stiff and +erect, she will have to await her doom in that place, at 2570 +the Lord's Judgment Day, when the world has com- +pleted its [allotted] number of years. This is one of +the miracles which the King of Glory has wrought. + + + + +XXXI. + + +Then Abraham went forth alone, at dawn, so that he 2575 +again stood in the place where the pious leader had +formerly spoken with his Lord in words. He saw the +reek of death and destruction ascending widely from +the earth. Riches and feasting preoccupied [the people] +to such an extent that they had become bold in wicked 2580 +deeds, eager for sin: they forgot the Truth and God's +commandments, and who had given them prosperity +and wealth in their cities; therefore the King of the +Angels sent his fervid fire to punish them. Our faithful 2585 +Lord then remembered Abraham mercifully, the dear +man, as he often had done, and saved his kinsman, Loth, +when the multitude perished. The [latter] hero, famed +for his deeds, did not dare to tarry longer in the strong- 2590 +hold for fear of the Lord, but Loth departed from the +city with his children to seek a dwelling-place far from +the place of slaughter, until they found a cave in the +side of a high dune: there the pious Loth, dear to his 2595 +Lord, dwelt in righteousness for a great number of days, +with his two daughters....[35] + +They did thus with the drunken man: ... the elder +of the two went first to her father's bed. Nor did the 2600 +venerable man know when the two maidens ... were +with him in the manner of a bride, fast bound [as he +was] in heart, mind, and memory, drunken with wine, 2605 +so that he could not escape the enterprise of the maidens. +The young women became pregnant, and the devoted +sisters brought men-children into the world, sons to +their old father. One of these noble children was called +Moab by his mother, that daughter of Loth who was the 2610 +elder in years of life; the Scriptures tell us, the sacred +Books, that the younger called her son Ammon. From +these princes sprang numberless people, the glories of 2615 +two nations: one of these nations all earth-dwellers call +Moabites, a widely famed race; the other, men and +sons of heroes call Ammonites. + + + + +XXXII. + + +Then the brother of Aron set out with his wife to take 2620 +his possessions and his household to Abimelech. Abra- +ham told all men that Sarra was his sister, [and] thus +preserved his life by his words: he knew very well that 2625 +he had few relatives and friends among that people. +Then the king sent his ministers and bade them bring +to him [the wife of Abraham].[36] Thus for the second +time in a foreign land, the wife of Abraham was taken 2630 +from her husband to the embrace of a stranger. Then +the eternal Lord assisted him, as he had often done: +our Preserver came himself by night to where the king +lay drunken with wine. Thereupon the Lord of Truth 2635 +began to speak to the king through a dream, and threat- +ened him in wrath: + +"Thou hast taken Abraham's wife, his bride from the +hero; for that deed death shall tear thy soul from thy +breast!" + +To him thus the sinner, gorged with feasting, replied 2640 +in his sleep: + +"What! Wilt Thou ever, High King of the Angels, +through thy wrath let him be deprived of life who lives 2645 +here in righteous habits, [who] in his counsel is upright +in mind, and who asks mercy of Thyself? In her own +words, unasked, this woman told me first that she was 2650 +Abraham's sister. I have not sinned against her, nor +wrought any evil at all, up to this time!" + +Then again the Eternal Lord and True God spoke to +him straightway through that dream: + +"Give back this woman to Abraham, his wife, into 2655 +his possession, if thou wishest for life any longer in this +world, as protector of the nobles. He is good and wise, +and may himself speak with [God] and see the King of +Glory. Thou shalt die, with thy flocks and thy sub- +stance, if thou deniest his wife to the warrior: if he will 2660 +at once honestly and patiently prefer to me thy earnest +wishes, he may obtain his request that I yet allow thee +living to enjoy pleasures and prosperity in thy days, 2665 +[allow thee] in sound health [to enjoy thy] riches." + +Then the keeper of the people broke forth from sleep, +bade his councillors come to him; shaken with terror, +Abimeleh quickly told the nobles the word of the Master. +The men dreaded [as retribution] for this deed, blows 2670 +from the hand of the Lord in accordance with the dream. +The king himself bade them bring Abraham before him, +in great haste. Then the ruler of the kingdom spoke: + +"Man of the Ebrews! this wilt thou now tell me in 2675 +words: what have I done that, since thou broughtest +thy possessions into this country among us, Abraham, +thou hast thus bitterly contrived a plot against me? +Thou, a foreigner, wouldst deceive us in this country 2680 +with evil and pollute us with sin: thou saidest in plain +words that Sarra was thy sister, thy blood relation; +through that woman thou wouldst have foully put upon +me sin, measureless evil! We received thee honorably, 2685 +and in friendship gave thee a dwelling-place among this +people, land at thy pleasure: now thou makest return +and thankest us [most] ungratefully for our favors!" + + + + +XXXIII. + + +Abraham then answered: 2690 + +"I did that, not for evil nor for hostility nor for any +woe that I might bring upon thee. But by this strat- +agem, O ruler of men, I protected myself against blows +of the fierce sword, far from my kinsfolk [as I was] +Since the Holy One[37] first led me from the family of 2695 +the prince, my father, I have sought out many peoples, +strange allies, and this woman with me, destitute of +friends: I always kept this peril in mind, when some foe 2700 +should deprive me--a stranger--of my life, who wished +to have this woman for his own. Therefore I have told +warriors in plain words that Sarra was my sister, wher- 2705 +ever on this earth we have had to contend against +foreigners in our exile. I did the same thing in this +country, great king, after I chose thy protection: nor +was there any knowledge in my heart as to whether 2710 +the fear of God Almighty was in this race, when I first +came here; therefore I concealed from thy ministers and +from thyself as well as possible the true statement that +Sarra was wont to enter my bed with me as my wife." 2715 + +Then Abimæleh began to enrich Abraham with worldly +treasures and returned his wife to him: he gave him +to boot, when he received his wife, live stock and bright +silver and serving-folk. The protector of the nobles 2720 +spoke further to Abraham, in these words: + +"Dwell with us and choose thee a dwelling-place in +this land, a noble site where it is most to thy liking: I +must have thee; be a faithful friend to us; we will give 2725 +thee riches." + +Then quickly the dispenser of treasure spoke further +to Sarra, in other words: + +"Nor need Abraham, thy lord and master, set it in +reproach against thee that thou hast trodden the ways +of my dwelling, O woman goddess-fair: for I have richly 2730 +repaired thine offence with him, with white silver. Do +not trouble yourselves to seek riches and strange friends +away from this land, but dwell here." + +Abraham did as his king bade him, and at the ruler's 2735 +behest accepted friendship, love, and peace. He was +dear to God: therefore he enjoyed tranquility happily +and proceeded under the shadow of his Creator, covered 2740 +by His protecting wings, while he lived. But God +was still angry at Abimeleh for the sin which he had +committed against Sarra and Abraham, when he sepa- +rated these two loving ones, the wife and the husband. 2745 +He received a severe penalty for this deed: for neither +free nor slave women could reward[38] the men their +masters with children, for the Lord prevented it, until +the holy Abraham began to pray Eternal God for grace 2750 +in behalf of his king. The Protector of the Angels granted +him his prayer, and restored to the king the fertility +of the free and the enslaved, men and women; again +the Ruler of the skies allowed the number of their off- 2755 +spring to increase, their prosperity and possessions: the +Almighty Keeper of Mankind became mild in heart +towards Abimeleh, as Abraham entreated Him. + +Then the Almighty Lord came to Sarra, as He Himself 2760 +promised: Our Master, the Ruler of Life, had fulfilled His +promise to the dear man and woman. A son was be- +gotten of Abraham upon his wife, whom the Prince of +the Angels named Isaac even before the mother was great 2765 +with child by the chieftain. Abraham with his own hand +set the sign upon him, as the Lord glorious in splendor +bade him, about a week from the time when his mother 2770 +brought him into the world to mankind. + + + + +XXXIV. + + +The boy grew and throve, inasmuch as noble [traits] +were native to him from his ancestors. Abraham had +[numbered] 100 years when, to his joy, his wife bore him +a son: he had waited for this for a long time, since the 2775 +Lord first through His own word foretold this day of +happiness. Now the matter so happened that his wife +once saw Ismael playing before Abraham where they +were both seated at a banquet, holy in heart, and all 2780 +their household retainers were drinking and singing. +Then the noble woman spoke, as wife to husband: + +"Forgive me, my dear lord, keeper of the ring! But +bid Agar depart elsewhere, and take Ismael with her. 2785 +We should no longer be together, for my pleasure, if I +might have my way. Never shall Ismael share the +heritage with Isaac, my own son, after thee, when thou +yieldest up thy spirit from the body." 2790 + +Then was Abraham heavy at heart, because he must +drive away his own son into exile; then speedily the +True God came to his aid, for He knew that the heart +of the man was in dire straits. The King of the Angels, 2795 +the Eternal Lord, spoke to Abraham: + +"Let the sorrow and heart-felt grief slip from thy +breast, and obey the woman, thy wife. Bid both Agar +and Ismael to go away, [send] the boy from thy home. 2800 +I will make his race far-spreading and powerful in the +number of its sons, prosperous in blessings, as I promised +thee by my word." + +Then the man obeyed his Master and drove from his +home the sad-minded pair, [drove] from his patrimony 2805 +the woman and his own son....[39] + +"Clear it is and manifest that the True God, the King +of Glory, is on thy side, since he gives thee the victory, +with wise power, and strengthens thy heart[40] with 2810 +divine gifts. Therefore thou hast succeeded hitherto +in whatsoever thou hast begun to perform against +friend or foe, in word or deed. The Lord our Master +thrusteth forward thy desires with His own hands: +that is widely known among men. I pray thee now, 2815 +chief of the Ebrews, by my words, to give me a faithful +assurance of thy pledge that thou wilt be a true friend +to me, in return for the good things which I have given 2820 +for thy glory, since thou camest solitary from afar into +this country with the tread of an exile. Requite me +now with thy favor, so that I may not be sparing of land +and pleasure to thee. Be propitious now to this people 2825 +and city of mine, if Our Almighty Lord who holdeth the +fates will grant that thou mayst further distribute riches +and pleasing treasures, and set up thy landmarks, among 2830 +the warriors in this country." + +Then Abraham gave pledges to Abimeleh that he would +[do] thus. + + + + +XXXV. + + +After this the holy son of Thare, chief of the Ebrews, +was a dweller in the Filistine nation for a long time, 2835 +alone amid strangers. The Lord of the Angels showed +him a dwelling-place which the men dwelling in the city +called the land of Bersaba. There the pious man built +a high hall, constructed a place of shelter and planted 2840 +a grove, erected an altar and on the sacrificial stone +made an offering, an oblation, at once, to his Master +who had given him a prosperous life under the sky. + +Then the powerful King began to try this hero, 2845 +tested stringently what the noble one's fortitude was, +and spoke to him in stern words with his voice: + +"Go forth now speedily, Abraham, hasten thy steps, 2850 +and take with thee thine own child. Thou shalt thyself +offer up Isaac to me, thy son as a sacrifice. After thou +ascendest on foot the steep dune, the bordering circle of +that high land which I shall show thee from here, there 2855 +thou shalt prepare a funeral pyre, the death-pile of thy +son, and then thyself sacrifice thy son with the edge +of the sword and then burn his dear body with black +flame, and thus make offering to me." + +He did not decline the expedition, but straightway +began to hasten the procedure: the word of the King 2860 +of Angels was sacred to him, and his Master was beloved. +Then the pious Abraham forsook his nightly repose, +with no resistance at all to the command of the Saviour, +but the holy man girded himself with his grey sword 2865 +and declared that the fear of the Keeper of Spirits +dwelt in his breast. Worn with age, the dispenser of +gold began to harness his asses, and bade two young men +go with him: his own son was the third and he himself +the fourth. Without delay he then set out to lead Isaac 2870 +from his own home, the ungrown child, as the Lord +bade him; hastened exceedingly and hurried forth on +the way, as the Lord showed him the paths over the +wastes, until the glorious beginning of the third day 2875 +arose across deep water. There the worthy man saw +a high dune rise, as the King of Glory had foretold to +him. So Abraham spoke to his servants: + +"My men! Remain ye here in this place. We shall 2880 +return, after we have offered to the King of Spirits what +was entrusted to us both." + +The noble man then departed with his own son toward 2885 +the designated spot which the Lord showed him, striding +through the forest; the son bore the wood, the father +fire and sword. Then the man young in years began +to ask Abraham about the affair, in these words: + +"We have here fire and sword, my lord: where is the 2890 +noble victim that you expect to bring as a burnt-offering +to God?" + +Abraham replied (he had once for all decided that he +would do as the Lord directed him): + +"That the True King, Guardian of mankind, will 2895 +himself provide, as it seemeth to him meet." + +Then with unfaltering purpose he ascended the steep +dune, with his son, as the Eternal had bidden him, until +he stood on the crest of the high land, on the [spot][41] +which the mighty, faithful Lord had shown him in his 2900 +words. Forthwith he began to build the funeral-pyre +and kindle the fire, and he bound his son hand and foot, +and then laid young Isaac on the pile, and then straight- +way grasped the sword by the hilt: he was resolved to 2905 +kill his son with his own hands and allay the flames with +his child's blood. + +At that moment a minister of God, one of the angels, +called Abraham from above, with a loud voice. Motion- +less he answered the angel and awaited the herald's 2910 +speech. To him then forthwith God's glorious spirit- +messenger spoke from above, out of heaven, in these +words: + +"Beloved Abraham! Do not slay thine own son, but +take the boy alive from the pile, thy child. The God 2915 +of Glory has spared him. Prince of the Ebrews, through +the holy hand of the King of Heaven thou shalt thyself +receive recompense and true rewards of victory, ample +gifts: the Keeper of Spirits will enrich thee with blessings, 2920 +because his peace and favor were dearer to thee than +thine own child." + +The pyre stood there blazing. The Lord of mankind +had made joyful the breast of Abraham, kinsman of +Loth, when he gave him back his son, Isaac, alive. Then 2925 +the holy hero looked about over his shoulder, and there +not far from him the brother of Aron beheld a ram +standing alone, caught fast in the thorn-bushes. Abra- +ham took this and laid it on the pyre with great zeal, 2930 +in place of his own son, brandished the sword, and dec- +orated the burnt-offering, the smoking altar, with the +blood of the ram, offered that oblation to God, [and fin- +ally] gave thanks for these blessings and for all those[42] +mercies which, late and early, the Lord had bestowed 3935 +upon him....[43] + + + + +NOTES + + +[Footnote 1: Thorpe's translation of the _Genesis_, published with his +edition, in 1828, was not accessible to the present writer and +presumably will not be accessible to the general public, so that on the +mere score of availability it seems high time for the appearance of +another translation; moreover, in the last eighty-five years critical +scholarship has produced a greatly improved text of the poem.] + +[Footnote 2: Aside from necessary omissions made for _Genesis B_, the +Sections are numbered consecutively in this translation (regardless of +vagaries in the original MS. numbering), on the assumption that each +illuminated capital in the MS. was intended to indicate the beginning of +a new Section. After the excision of _Genesis B_, the numbering has been +resumed with X instead of XV, because the XIII at line 440 in the MS. +must really represent VIII.--Cf. Note 8, page 59, inf. (page 199, inf.)] + +[Footnote 3: ll. 39b-41a. _Wræcna_, gen. pl. with _bidan_, = _outcasts_; I +take _weardas_ as in apposition with it (the acc. being either a scribal +error or an anacoluthon), and then translate _wræcna_ as an adjective +for the sake of idiomatic fluency. For _gasta weardas_ as an epithet for +angels, though then unfallen, cf. line 12a, sup.--The passage has given +scholars much trouble and is unsatisfactory, at best.] + +[Footnote 4: line 63b. I take æðele as a form of æðelu = nobilitas, +principatus, natales, origo, genus, etc. Grein's _Sprachschatz_, 1.52.] + +[Footnote 5: line 168a. Three pages seem to be missing in the MS. +Doubtless the remaining events of the third day, with those of the +fourth, fifth, and perhaps first part of the sixth, days, including the +creation of man, (i.e., apparently the contents of Gen. 1.11-2.17, +incl.) were retold in these pages.] + +[Footnote 6: line 186b. This line is apparently imperfect, metrically, +for the second hemistich seems to be wanting. As the sense is complete, +without emendation, I have not followed the various scholars who would +insert after "Adam's bride" some such clause as, "Whom God named Eve."] + +[Footnote 7: ll. 221-224a. The text here is corrupt and scholars differ +widely in their conjectural emendations and interpretations. Since none +of their versions is satisfactory or convincing, I venture upon an +independent reading. _Hebeleac_, of course, is the Scriptural Havilah +(Gen. 2.11); _Fison_ is obviously Pison, and _Geon_, 230b inf., is +Gihon.] + +[Footnote 8: ll. 226, 227a. I construe _the best_ with _gold and gems_, +rather than with _sons of men_, because of Gen. 2.12.] + +[Footnote 9: ll. 235-851. After line 234 there is a break in the MS. +Sievers has shown that the following 617 lines, called _Genesis B_, were +written and interpolated later, by a different hand, and have Old Saxon +affiliations. _Genesis B_ describes the Fall of Man and also gives a new +version of the revolt and overthrow of Satan. _Genesis A_ begins again, +at line 852, with the conversation between Adam and Eve and Jehovah +(Gen. 3.8 ff.).] + +[Footnote 10: line 872. I follow the divisions of the MS. This line +begins with the tenth large decorative initial, the others having +occurred at ll. 1, 82, 135, 246, 389, 442, 547, 684, and 821. Where the +editors so widely disagree as to the proper subdivisions of the poem, it +seems safer to follow the original initializing (but not the marginal +numbering of the original MS.: this skips from VII to XIII at line +440--doubtless accidentally substituting X for V--and is otherwise +irregular). Cf. footnote, page vi, sup.--For lines 869-70, cf. _Jour. +Eng. Germ. Phil._, 12.257.] + +[Footnote 11: line 1022. A hemistich seems to be missing here, +metrically.] + +[Footnote 12: line 1125. A hemistich seems to be missing here, +metrically.] + +[Footnote 13: line 1128. I here adopt Grein's emendation, reading _leod_ +for _leof_.] + +[Footnote 14: line 1137. Cf. Gen. 4.26, with cross-references, +alternative translation, etc.] + +[Footnote 15: line 1150. I follow Grein in supplying _wintra_ to +complete a metrically imperfect line.] + +[Footnote 16: line 1199. A hemistich seems to be missing here, +metrically; and surely the sense requires the interpolation of several +lines, to record the birth of Methuselah in Enoch's 65th year. Cf. Gen. +5.21.] + +[Footnote 17: line 1211. We may restore the last word of this line, +_fan_ in the MS., either as tautological _frean_, with Dietrich, or as +tautological _feran_, with Grein.] + +[Footnote 18: line 1405. I follow Dietrich in reading +_edniowe = self-renewing_, for the meaningless _edmonne_ in the MS.] + +[Footnote 19: line 1492. This difficult passage may be clarified by +reading _ðryðe = strength, copious power_, in place of the meaningless +_ðridda = third_, in the MS., and at the same time making _þrymme_ the +object of _hæfde_ (reading _þrymmas_, if necessary).] + +[Footnote 20: line 1549. At least one line is missing, in the MS. here. +I have healed the breach by altering the case of _wærfæst metod_, in +preference to supplying conjectural material.] + +[Footnote 21: line 1628a. The difficulty here may be obviated, with +slight emendation, by letting _Fæderne_ modify _yrfestole_, and changing +_breðer_, as a genitive plural, to _broðra_.] + +[Footnote 22: ll. 1852b-1853. I follow Dietrich, who seems to me to make +the best of this bad business.] + +[Footnote 23: line 1862b. _Hægstealdra wyn_ refers to Pharaoh, of +course.] + +[Footnote 24: line 1929a. A hemistich is missing here, in the MS., and a +verb must be supplied; I adopt Grein's suggestion, _lædde_.] + +[Footnote 25: line 1956b. The alliteration is defective, unless a word +be supplied; but the sense may be preserved, without emendation, by +construing _æfter_ with _sped_.] + +[Footnote 26: line 2047a. Metrically, a hemistich seems to be missing.] + +[Footnote 27: line 2055a. Metrically, a word or two seem to be missing.] + +[Footnote 28: line 2148b. Metrically, a hemistich seems to be missing.] + +[Footnote 29: line 2234b. _Larum_ here seems to be tautological, perhaps +a scribal error. It might be taken with _bryde_, in an absolute +construction: _after the example_, or _in the manner, of a bride_. The +reading _lastum_ is supported by line 2715a.] + +[Footnote 30: line 2275b. I take _witodes_ here as equivalent to +_wyrdes_: cf. Sievers' "OE. Grammar," ed. A.S. Cook, 1903, 269, N. 5.] + +[Footnote 31: line 2379. Grein remarks that a page is missing here from +the MS.] + +[Footnote 32: line 2400b. I read here _mægn_ for _mæg_;--cf. line 2494b. +Or, retaining _mæg_, the line might be translated: "The Father of Light +Himself was" etc. Cf. Gen. 18.1, 16.] + +[Footnote 33: line 2439b. Defective metre and sense, owing to the loss +of a hemistich, but the sense is complete. Grein's suggestion, _feoll on +foldan_, adds nothing to the following _hnah_.] + +[Footnote 34: line 2510. A passage is missing here in the MS. Cf. +2568b-2569a; and the XXXVII at 2574, after the XXXV at 2417.] + +[Footnote 35: lines 2597, 2598, 2601b-2602a. There are several lacunae +here, in the MS.] + +[Footnote 36: line 2628b. Some words are evidently missing here. In the +brackets I give the emendation supported by most scholars.] + +[Footnote 37: line 2695b. I follow most of the editors in taking _hyrde_ +as _family_ and _frean_ as an appositive with _fæder_.] + +[Footnote 38: line 2747b. Whatever the precise form of emendation to be +adopted, this is certainly the sense of the word and passage.] + +[Footnote 39: line 2805. A passage is missing here, in the MS.] + +[Footnote 40: line 2810b. A hemistich is missing here, metrically.] + +[Footnote 41: line 2899a. This word (_stowe_) is Dietrich's obviously +correct emendation.] + +[Footnote 42: line 2934a. Grein's emendation, _sælða_ = _prosperity_, +helps the metre but not the sense. I do not adopt it.] + +[Footnote 43: line 2935. In the MS., _Genesis_ ends here and _Exodus_ +follows at once; as 28 Chapters of the Biblical Genesis are passed over, +it seems probable that several pages in the MS. of the poem have been +lost or were not transcribed.] + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Genesis A, by Anonymous + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GENESIS A *** + +***** This file should be named 15612-8.txt or 15612-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/6/1/15612/ + +Produced by David Starner, Jason Isbell and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Cook, Editor And Lawrence Mason, Ph.D. Translator. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + p.nowrap { + line-height: 1.5em; + text-indent: 1em; } + p.preface { + text-indent: 1em; } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + padding: .5em; + margin: .5em; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + hr.left { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 0%; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 13%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 3%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right; text-indent: 0;} /* page numbers */ + + .center {text-align: center; text-indent: 0;} + .right {text-align: right;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Genesis A, by Anonymous + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Genesis A + Translated from the Old English + +Author: Anonymous + +Release Date: April 13, 2005 [EBook #15612] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GENESIS A *** + + + + +Produced by David Starner, Jason Isbell and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<p>Transcribers Note: Typographic errors in the original have been +retained. In the table of contents there are two sets of page numbers. +The first appears to be the page numbers from the original MS. The +second set in parentheses are the page numbers from this facsimile. +As the body of the text is referred to by line numbers, that section +has not been rewrapped.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="pagenum">Page 134</span><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134"></a></p> + +<h2>YALE STUDIES IN ENGLISH</h2> + +<h2>ALBERT S. COOK, EDITOR</h2> +<h6>XLVIII</h6> +<h1>GENESIS A</h1> + +<h3>TRANSLATED FROM THE OLD ENGLISH</h3> + +<h5>BY</h5> + +<h2>LAWRENCE MASON, PHD.</h2> + +<h4>INSTRUCTOR IN ENGLISH IN YALE COLLEGE</h4> + +<h6>NEW YORK</h6> + +<h6>HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY</h6> + +<h6>1915</h6> + +<p><span class="pagenum">Page 135</span><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135"></a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum">Page 136</span><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136"></a></p> +<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE" />PREFACE</h2> + + +<p class="preface">The purpose of the translator in offering to the public this version of +the <i>Genesis</i> is to aid in forwarding—be it by but one jot or +tittle—the general knowledge and appreciation of Old English +literature. Professed students in this department will always have an +incentive to master the language; but to the public at large the +strangeness of this medium will prove an insurmountable barrier, and the +general reader must therefore either remain in ignorance of our older +literary monuments or else employ translations. The present +contribution<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> to the growing body of such translations possesses, +perhaps, more than a single interest or appeal, in that it renders +accessible not only a poem of considerable intrinsic worth, a poem +associated with the earliest of the great names in English literary +history, and a forerunner and possible source of <i>Paradise Lost</i>, but +also an important example of a literary <i>genre</i> once immensely popular, +though now quite fallen into abeyance—namely, the lengthy versified +Scriptural paraphrase. For some idea of the prominent part played by +this form, even so late as the seventeenth century, the reader is +referred to any comprehensive manual of English literature.</p> + +<p class="preface">In this translation, prose has been employed instead of verse, for two +reasons. In the first place, no metrical <span class="pagenum">Page 137</span><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137"></a>form has yet been found which, +in the writer's judgment, at all adequately represents in modern English +the effect of the Old English alliterative verse, or stave-rime. And in +the second place, to the writer's thinking, no one but a poet should +attempt to write verse: and on that principle, translations would be few +and far between, unless prose were used.</p> + +<p class="preface">But even granting the value of the <i>Genesis</i> as a fit subject for +translation, and the necessity for the employment of prose, the reader +may still quarrel with the particular <i>kind</i> of prose hereinbelow +essayed; so a brief explanation and, it is hoped, vindication of the +theory of translation here followed would seem desirable, inasmuch as +considerable divergence is intended from the methods adopted by the +various translators of the <i>Beowulf</i>, for example. First, Biblical +phraseology has been eschewed, partly because in a modern writer it +savors of affectation, but chiefly because his Bible was the point of +departure for the Old English author, and to return now in the +translation to our Bible would be a stultification of his purposes by a +sort of <i>argumentum in circulo</i>. Secondly, archaisms, poetic diction, +and unusual constructions (the "translation English" anathematized by +the Rhetorics) have been so far as possible avoided, contrary to the +practice of most translators from Old English poetry, because it is felt +strongly that such usages will not produce upon modern readers the +effect that this poetry produced originally upon the readers or hearers +for whom it was intended. For this poetry could not have seemed alien or +exotic to its original public: either through familiar poetic +convention, or owing to the staccato and ejaculatory character of +ordinary spoken language at the time, this spasmodic, apostrophic poetry +must have seemed natural and beautiful, in the seventh or eighth +century. But—</p> + +<p class="poem"><span class="pagenum">Page 138</span><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138"></a> +Why take the style of those heroic times?<br /> +For nature brings not back the mastodon,<br /> +Nor we those times.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="preface">To translate is to modernize. This rendering, therefore, is not an +artificial, pseudo-antique hybrid, but frankly endeavors to convey its +original to modern readers in idiomatic modern literary English, devoid +of any conscious mannerisms whatsoever. The writer has aimed at the +utmost literal fidelity consistent with the observance of all the usages +of current standard English; he has not attempted, however, to convert +the explosive appositions, with prevailing asyndeton and excessive +synonymy, of his original into the easy, flowing sentences more familiar +to modern eyes and ears, for the change would sacrifice altogether too +much of the distinctive character and flavor of Old English poetry.</p> + +<p class="preface">The text upon which this work is based is that of the Grein-Wülker +<i>Bibliothek der Angelsächsischen Poesie,</i> 1894, save for a few minor +changes in punctuation and the few departures recorded in the Notes. +Grein's translation of the poem into modern German stave-rime, 1857, has +been frequently consulted, but the writer's real indebtedness to it is +felt to be slight. He takes great pleasure, finally, in acknowledging +his deep sense of obligation, on many grounds, to the general editor of +this series, Professor Albert S. Cook; the work was undertaken at his +suggestion, and he has been most kind in giving advice and criticism.</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="signature" width="100%"> +<tr> + <td align="left"> + YALE UNIVERSITY,<br /> + <i>July 17, 1913.</i> + </td> + <td align="right">Lawrence Mason.</td> +</tr> +</table> +<p><span class="pagenum">Page 139</span><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139"></a> +<a name="ToC" id="ToC"></a></p> +<h3>TABLE OF CONTENTS</h3> +<p class="center">With Specification of the Biblical Chapters and Verses +represented in each Section of the Poem</p> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr><td align='left'></td><td align="right">PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>PREFACE</b></td><td align='right'>III (<a href="#Page_136">136</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>TABLE OF CONTENTS</b></td><td align='right'>VI (<a href="#Page_139">139</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>GENESIS A:</b></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section I<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></td><td align='right'>1 (<a href="#Page_141">141</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section II (Gen. 1.1-5)</td><td align='right'>3 (<a href="#Page_143">143</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section III (Gen. 1.4-10)</td><td align='right'>4 (<a href="#Page_144">144</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Lines 169-234 (Gen. 1.28, 31; 2.10-14, 18, 21, 22)</td><td align='right'>5 (<a href="#Page_145">145</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Lines 852-871 (Gen. 3.8-10)</td><td align='right'>7 (<a href="#Page_147">147</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section X (Gen. 3.11-15)</td><td align='right'>7 (<a href="#Page_147">147</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XI (Gen. 3.16, 17, 19, 21, 24; 4.1-5, 8)</td><td align='right'>9 (<a href="#Page_149">149</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XII (Gen. 4.9-19, 21)</td><td align='right'>11 (<a href="#Page_151">151</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XIII (Gen. 4.22-26; 5.3-14)</td><td align='right'>13 (<a href="#Page_153">153</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XIV (Gen. 5.15-29, 32)</td><td align='right'>15 (<a href="#Page_155">155</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XV (Gen. 6.1-8, 11-19, 22)</td><td align='right'>17 (<a href="#Page_157">157</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XVI (Gen. 7.1-7, 11, 12, 16-23)</td><td align='right'>18 (<a href="#Page_158">158</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XVII (Gen. 8.1-4, 6-12)</td><td align='right'>20 (<a href="#Page_160">160</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XVIII (Gen. 8.15-18, 20; 9.1-9, 11-19)</td><td align='right'>22 (<a href="#Page_162">162</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XIX (Gen. 9.20-28; 10.1, 2, 6, 8-10; 11.1)</td><td align='right'>24 (<a href="#Page_164">164</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XX (Gen. 10.1, 20, 21; 11.2, 4-8, 10, 26, 27)</td><td align='right'>26 (<a href="#Page_166">166</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XXI (Gen. 11.29-32; 12.1-8)</td><td align='right'>28 (<a href="#Page_168">168</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XXII (Gen. 12.8, 10-20; 13.1-4)</td><td align='right'>30 (<a href="#Page_170">170</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XXIII (Gen. 13.5-13)</td><td align='right'>32 (<a href="#Page_172">172</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XXIV (Gen. 14.1, 2, 4, 10-16)</td><td align='right'>33 (<a href="#Page_173">173</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XXV (Gen. 14.17-24; 15.1)</td><td align='right'>37 (<a href="#Page_177">177</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XXVI (Gen. 15.2-5, 7, 18; 16.1-6)</td><td align='right'>39 (<a href="#Page_179">179</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XXVII (Gen. 16.6-12, 15, 16; 17.1, 2, 10-14, 19)</td><td align='right'>41 (<a href="#Page_181">181</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XXVIII (Gen. 17.17-21, 23, 24, 27; 18.12-14)</td><td align='right'>43 (<a href="#Page_183">183</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XXIX (Gen. 18.16, 17, 20-22)</td><td align='right'>44 (<a href="#Page_184">184</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XXX (Gen. 19.1-13, 18-26)</td><td align='right'>45 (<a href="#Page_185">185</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XXXI (Gen. 19.27-30, 33, 35-38)</td><td align='right'>49 (<a href="#Page_189">189</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XXXII (Gen. 20.1-10)</td><td align='right'>50 (<a href="#Page_190">190</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XXXIII (Gen. 20.11, 13-18; 21.1-4)</td><td align='right'>51 (<a href="#Page_191">191</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XXXIV (Gen. 21.5, 8-14, 22-24, 27)</td><td align='right'>53 (<a href="#Page_193">193</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Section XXXV (Gen. 21.33, 34; 22.1-13)</td><td align='right'>55 (<a href="#Page_195">195</a>)</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>NOTES</b></td><td align='right'>58 (<a href="#Page_198">198</a>)</td></tr> +</table></div> +<p><span class="pagenum">Page 140</span><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140"></a> +</p> +<p> </p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum">Page 141</span><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141"></a> +</p> +<h2> +GENESIS A +</h2> +<h3> + I. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Ours is a great duty—to praise in word and love at<br /> +heart the heavens' Ruler, the glorious King of Hosts:<br /> +He is the substance of all power, the head of all high<br /> +things, the Lord Almighty. Origin or beginning was<span class="linenum">5</span><a name="Line_5" id="Line_5"></a><br /> +never made for Him, nor shall an end ever come to the<br /> +eternal God: but, on the contrary, He is for ever supreme<br /> +by His high puissance over the heavenly kingdoms;<br /> +just and mighty, He rules the mansions of the sky,<span class="linenum">10</span><a name="Line_10" id="Line_10"></a><br /> +which were established far and wide through the power<br /> +of God for the sons of glory, the keepers of souls.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +These angelic hosts were wont to feel joy and rapture,<br /> +transcendent bliss, in the presence of their Creator:<br /> +their beatitude was measureless. Glorious ministers<span class="linenum">15</span><a name="Line_15" id="Line_15"></a><br /> +magnified their Lord, spoke his praise with zeal, lauded<br /> +the Master of their being, and were excellently happy<br /> +in the majesty of God. They had no knowledge of<br /> +working evil or wickedness, but dwelt in innocence<span class="linenum">20</span><a name="Line_20" id="Line_20"></a><br /> +forever with their Lord: from the beginning they wrought<br /> +in heaven nothing but righteousness and truth, until<br /> +a Prince of angels through pride strayed into sin: then<br /> +they would consult their own advantage no longer, but<br /> +turned away from God's lovingkindness. They had<span class="linenum">25</span><a name="Line_25" id="Line_25"></a><br /> +vast arrogance, in that by the might of multitudes they<br /> +sought to wrest from the Lord the celestial mansions,<br /> +spacious and heaven-bright. Then there fell upon<br /> +them, grievously, the envy, presumption, and pride<br /> +of the Angel who first began to carry out the evil plot,<span class="linenum">30</span><a name="Line_30" id="Line_30"></a><br /> +to weave it and promote it, when he boasted by word—<br /> +as he thirsted for conflict—that he wished to own the<br /> +home and high throne of the heavenly kingdom to the<br /> +north. Thereupon God became angered and hostile<span class="linenum">35</span><a name="Line_35" id="Line_35"></a><br /> +towards the beings whom he had formerly exalted in<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 142</span><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142"></a> +beauty and glory: he created for the traitors a marvelous<br /> +abode as penalty for their action, namely the pangs of<br /> +Hell, bitter afflictions; Our Lord called forth that<span class="linenum">40</span><a name="Line_40" id="Line_40"></a><br /> +abysmal joyless house of punishment to wait for the<br /> +outcast keepers of souls.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> When he knew that it was<br /> +ready, he enveloped it in eternal night and equipped it<br /> +with torment, filling it with fire and fearful cold, with<br /> +fume and red flame: then he commanded the terrors<br /> +of suffering to increase throughout that hapless place.<span class="linenum">45</span><a name="Line_45" id="Line_45"></a><br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +They had committed a dire sin against God: on that<br /> +account dire punishment befell them. They asserted,<br /> +in fierce mood, that they wished to seize the kingdom<br /> +and could easily do so: but this presumption mocked<br /> +them when their Lord, the high King of heaven, lifted<span class="linenum">50</span><a name="Line_50" id="Line_50"></a><br /> +up his almighty hand against the throng. The mad<br /> +rebels, accursed ones, could not make head against God,<br /> +but the Highest troubled their spirits and humbled their<br /> +pride, for he was incensed; he stripped the sinners of<span class="linenum">55</span><a name="Line_55" id="Line_55"></a><br /> +victory and might, of dominion and honor, and further<br /> +took from his foes happiness, peace, and all joys, as well<br /> +as bright glory, and finally, with his own exceeding power,<br /> +wreaked his wrath on his adversaries in mighty ruin.<span class="linenum">60</span><a name="Line_60" id="Line_60"></a><br /> +He was stern in mood, grimly embittered, and seized<br /> +upon his foes with resistless grasp and broke them in<br /> +his grip, enraged at heart, and deprived his opponents of<br /> +their native seat,<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> their bright abodes on high. For<span class="linenum">65</span><a name="Line_65" id="Line_65"></a><br /> +our Creator dismissed and banished from heaven the<br /> +overweening band of angels: the Lord sent away on a<br /> +long journey the faithless multitude, the hateful host,<br /> +the miserable spirits; their pride was broken, their threat<span class="linenum">70</span><a name="Line_70" id="Line_70"></a><br /> +overthrown, their glory shattered, and their beauty<br /> +dimmed; thenceforth they abode in desolation, because<br /> +of their dark exile. They did not dare to laugh aloud,<br /> +but lived wearied by the torments of hell and became<br /> +familiar with woes, bitterness, and sorrow; covered with<span class="linenum">75</span><a name="Line_75" id="Line_75"></a><br /><span class="pagenum">Page 143</span><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143"></a> +darkness, they bore their pain,—a heavy sentence,<br /> +because they had begun to battle against God.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then, as formerly, true peace existed in heaven, fair<br /> +amity: for the Lord was dear to all, the Sovereign to his<span class="linenum">80</span><a name="Line_80" id="Line_80"></a><br /> +servants; and the majesty of the joyful angelic hosts<br /> +increased, through the favor of the Almighty.<br /> +</p> +<h3> + II. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +So those who inhabited the sky, home of glory, were<br /> +at peace; hatred was gone, as well as sorrow and strife<br /> +among angels, ever since the rebellious hosts, bereft of the<span class="linenum">85</span><a name="Line_85" id="Line_85"></a><br /> +light, had relinquished heaven. Behind them stood in<br /> +grandeur their seats rich in glorious workmanship, teeming<br /> +with blessings in God's kingdom, bright and perennially<br /> +bountiful,—but all devoid of occupants, ever since the<span class="linenum">90</span><a name="Line_90" id="Line_90"></a><br /> +miserable spirits had gone to their place of punishment,<br /> +their vile prison. Then our Lord bethought him, in<br /> +meditative mood, how he might people again, and with<br /> +a better race, his high creation, the noble seats and glory-<span class="linenum">95</span><a name="Line_95" id="Line_95"></a><br /> +crowned abodes which the haughty rebels had left<br /> +vacant, high in heaven. Therefore Holy God willed by<br /> +his plenteous power that under the circle of the firma-<br /> +ment the earth should be established, with sky above and<span class="linenum">100</span><a name="Line_100" id="Line_100"></a><br /> +wide water, a world-creation in place of the foes whom<br /> +in their apostasy he hurled from bliss.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +As yet there was nothing at all created here, except<br /> +shadows, but this broad earth stood deep and dim, idle<span class="linenum">105</span><a name="Line_105" id="Line_105"></a><br /> +and useless, alien even to God himself; on it the King<br /> +whose purpose never falters turned his eyes and beheld<br /> +the place void of joy; he saw dark clouds, black under<br /> +the firmament, throng in the eternal night, dun and<span class="linenum">110</span><a name="Line_110" id="Line_110"></a><br /> +waste, until this world-creation came to pass through<br /> +the word of the King of Glory. First the everlasting<br /> +Lord, protector of all things, created heaven and earth;<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 144</span><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144"></a> +as the almighty King put forth the firmament and with<span class="linenum">115</span><a name="Line_115" id="Line_115"></a><br /> +victorious might established this ample world. The<br /> +earth was as yet unadorned by vegetation: the ocean<br /> +covered it far and wide, turbid waves in the eternal<br /> +night. Then was the glorious Spirit of heaven's guardian<span class="linenum">120</span><a name="Line_120" id="Line_120"></a><br /> +borne over the sea with sovereign virtue. For the King<br /> +of the angels commanded Light, dispenser of life, to<br /> +come forth over the broad expanse: quickly was the<br /> +Arch-King's mandate fulfilled, and Holy Light appeared<span class="linenum">125</span><a name="Line_125" id="Line_125"></a><br /> +over the waste spaces, as the Creator had ordained it.<br /> +The Wielder of Victory next sundered light from darkness,<br /> +shadow from radiance, over the surge of the sea. Then<br /> +he formed the two names of the dispensers of life: light<br /> +was first called "Day" by the word of the Lord, a<span class="linenum">130</span><a name="Line_130" id="Line_130"></a><br /> +beauteous creation. This period of creation greatly<br /> +pleased God, in the beginning: the first day saw the<br /> +dark shadows duskily flee away over the wide earth.<br /> +</p> +<h3> + III. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Time now went forth over the frame-work of the<span class="linenum">135</span><a name="Line_135" id="Line_135"></a><br /> +world: after this shining splendor, the Lord our Creator<br /> +fashioned the first evening, but on its track rushed a<br /> +thronging welter of darkness which the Lord himself<br /> +called by the name of "Night." Our Saviour sundered<span class="linenum">140</span><a name="Line_140" id="Line_140"></a><br /> +these two: ever since then they have ceaselessly wrought<br /> +and fulfilled the will of the Lord over the earth.<br /> +Then the second day advanced, light after darkness;<br /> +and the Ruler of Life straightway commanded a glad<span class="linenum">145</span><a name="Line_145" id="Line_145"></a><br /> +sky-substance to appear in the midst of the flood: our<br /> +Master parted the waves and wrought there the found-<br /> +ations of the firmament: this the Mighty One, omnipotent<br /> +King, reared aloft from the earth through his own word.<span class="linenum">150</span><a name="Line_150" id="Line_150"></a><br /> +The flood was divided under the high heavens by holy<br /> +power, the waters from the waters, and still they remain<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 145</span><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145"></a> +so under the firmament which roofs all nations.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then swiftly came advancing over the world the third<span class="linenum">155</span><a name="Line_155" id="Line_155"></a><br /> +great morn. Nor were the spreading lands and ways<br /> +yet deemed needful by our Lord, but the earth stood<br /> +girt fast by water. Through his word, the Ruler of<br /> +the angels bade the waters be gathered together, which<br /> +now hold their course beneath the skies in an appointed<span class="linenum">160</span><a name="Line_160" id="Line_160"></a><br /> +place. Then speedily the broad ocean stood all together<br /> +under heaven, as the Holy One commanded, for the<br /> +flood was sundered from the dry land. Thereupon<br /> +Life's Ruler looked upon the dry land, the Preserver of<br /> +mankind [found it] widely visible, and the King of<span class="linenum">165</span><a name="Line_165" id="Line_165"></a><br /> +Glory called it "Earth." He established a proper<br /> +channel for the waves, the broad flood, and fettered....<br /> +</p> +<hr class="left" style='width: 21em;' /> +<p class="left" style='margin-left: 8em'> +(<i>Lacuna in MS.</i><a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a>)<br /> +</p> +<hr class="left" style='width: 21em;' /> +<p class="nowrap"> +The Ruler of Heaven did not think it fitting that<span class="linenum">170</span><a name="Line_170" id="Line_170"></a><br /> +Adam, the keeper of Paradise and shepherd of the new<br /> +creation, should be alone any longer: so the supreme<br /> +King, Ruler Almighty, made a companion for him—<br /> +created Woman, and gave this helpmate to his cherished<span class="linenum">175</span><a name="Line_175" id="Line_175"></a><br /> +Man as the first and fruitful light of his life. He took his<br /> +material from Adam's body and skilfully removed a<br /> +rib from his side: the latter was deep in repose and<br /> +slumbered peacefully; he felt no pain, though a little<span class="linenum">180</span><a name="Line_180" id="Line_180"></a><br /> +uneasiness, nor did a drop of blood come from the wound,<br /> +but the Prince of the Angels took from his body a living<br /> +bone while the man was unwounded. From this God<br /> +fashioned a noble woman, and put into her the breath<br /> +of life and an immortal soul: these two were like the<span class="linenum">185</span><a name="Line_185" id="Line_185"></a><br /> +angels. Thus was Adam's bride<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> endowed with a<br /> +living spirit. They were both radiantly beautiful in their<br /> +youthfulness, in the world prepared by the might of<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 146</span><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146"></a> +the Lord: they did not know how to undertake or<span class="linenum">190</span><a name="Line_190" id="Line_190"></a><br /> +work evil, but on the contrary there was in the breast<br /> +of each a burning love of God. Then the benign King,<br /> +Ruler of everyone born of the race of man, blessed these<br /> +first two creatures, father and mother, woman and<br /> +man. Thereafter he spoke these words:<span class="linenum">195</span><a name="Line_195" id="Line_195"></a><br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Be fruitful now and increase; fill the verdant earth<br /> +with progeny, your race, both sons and daughters. Under<br /> +your sway shall be the salt water and all the created<br /> +world. Enjoy prosperous days, [ruling over] both<span class="linenum">200</span><a name="Line_200" id="Line_200"></a><br /> +the fishes of the deep and the fowls of the air. Into<br /> +your power are given the sacred herd and the wild beasts<br /> +and every living thing that walks the earth; all breath-<br /> +ing creatures, whatsoever the sea brings forth over the<span class="linenum">205</span><a name="Line_205" id="Line_205"></a><br /> +whale-paths, all things belong to you two."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then our Maker beheld the beauty of his works and<br /> +the fullness of his abundance, his new creations. Pa-<br /> +radise stood, good and holy, filled with blessings, ever-<span class="linenum">210</span><a name="Line_210" id="Line_210"></a><br /> +lasting bounty. That kindly soil was beauteously<br /> +watered by the rushing seas and springing fountains;<br /> +for never yet had clouds dark with wind brought down<br /> +rains over the broad earth: but none the less the ground<br /> +stood crowned with its harvest. From this new Garden<span class="linenum">215</span><a name="Line_215" id="Line_215"></a><br /> +four noble river-streams have their outflow: these were<br /> +all partitioned out of one fair-shining water by the might<br /> +of the Lord, when he created the earth, and [were thus]<span class="linenum">220</span><a name="Line_220" id="Line_220"></a><br /> +sent out into the world. Men dwelling on the earth,<br /> +the peoples of the nations, call one of these Fison, which<br /> +broadly girdles with its bright streams a quarter of the<br /> +earth beyond Hebeleac<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a>: in that ancestral soil the sons<span class="linenum">225</span><a name="Line_225" id="Line_225"></a><br /> +of men, nations near and far, find the best gold and<br /> +precious stones,<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> as the books tell us. Then the second<br /> +[river], whose name is Geon, girdles the land and govern-<br /> +ment of Ethiopia, an ample kingdom. The third is<span class="linenum">230</span><a name="Line_230" id="Line_230"></a><br /> +Tigris, a foaming stream which encircles the people of<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 147</span><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147"></a> +Assyria. Such likewise is the fourth, which men among<br /> +many a nation now widely call Eufrates....<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a><br /> +</p> +<hr class="left" style='width: 21em;' /> +<p class="left" style='margin-left: 5em'> +(<i>Genesis B intervenes here</i>.) +</p> +<hr class="left" style='width: 21em;' /> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the Almighty King, the great Lord, came forth<br /> +into the garden about mid-day, by his divine will; for<span class="linenum">855</span><a name="Line_855" id="Line_855"></a><br /> +our Saviour and merciful Father wished to find out<br /> +what his children were doing: he knew that they were<br /> +sinful to whom he had given perfection. Bereft of<br /> +their beatitude and stricken in spirit, they avoided his<br /> +presence by retreating among the shadows of the trees;<span class="linenum">860</span><a name="Line_860" id="Line_860"></a><br /> +they hid themselves in dark recesses, when they heard<br /> +the holy word of the Lord and feared him. Straight-<br /> +way the King of Heaven began to call for the keeper<br /> +of the [newly] created world; the mighty Lord bade<br /> +his son come to him forthwith. He answered him then,<span class="linenum">865</span><a name="Line_865" id="Line_865"></a><br /> +the wretched one himself, destitute of clothing, [and]<br /> +said:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Lord of my life, I am hiding myself here because<br /> +unclothed; basely sinful, I am covering my shame with<br /> +leaves: my pain is cruel, most bitter in my heart. I dare<span class="linenum">870</span><a name="Line_870" id="Line_870"></a><br /> +not now go forth before thy presence: I am all naked!"<br /> +</p> +<h3> + X.<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a><br /> +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +To him then God at once replied:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Tell me this, my son: why do you seek the shadows,<br /> +in shame? You certainly received no disgrace at my<span class="linenum">875</span><a name="Line_875" id="Line_875"></a><br /> +hands, but on the contrary delight in all things! How<br /> +come you to know evil and hide shame and behold sor-<br /> +row and cover your body with leaves and, saddened and<br /> +crushed by the woes of life, say that you need clothing, <br /> +unless you have tasted of an apple from the tree which<span class="linenum">880</span><a name="Line_880" id="Line_880"></a><br /><span class="pagenum">Page 148</span><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148"></a> +I forbade to you by express command?"<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Adam then answered him again:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"The woman, my Lord, the fair woman gave into<br /> +my hand this fruit, which I accepted in sin against thee.<span class="linenum">885</span><a name="Line_885" id="Line_885"></a><br /> +Now I bear this manifest sign in myself: I know so much<br /> +the more of sorrow!"<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then Almighty God asked Eve about this:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Why did you forfeit these plenteous delights, daughter,<br /> +the new creations of paradise, abundant blessings, when<span class="linenum">890</span><a name="Line_890" id="Line_890"></a><br /> +in your cupidity you seized on the trunk and took the<br /> +fruit from the branch of the tree and ate the accursed<br /> +thing in defiance of me, and gave of the apple to Adam,<br /> +when you both by my prohibition were so strictly for-<span class="linenum">895</span><a name="Line_895" id="Line_895"></a><br /> +bidden to do so?"<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the fair maiden, the woman overcome by shame,<br /> +answered him:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"The serpent tempted me and urgently prompted me<br /> +to sin; through fair words the worm goaded me into<br /> +accursed frowardness, until I basely performed the<span class="linenum">900</span><a name="Line_900" id="Line_900"></a><br /> +deadly act, committed the crime, and robbed the tree in<br /> +the grove, as it was not lawful to do, and ate the fruit."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then our Saviour, the Lord Almighty, ordained wide<br /> +wanderings for the serpent, the venomous worm, and<span class="linenum">905</span><a name="Line_905" id="Line_905"></a><br /> +spoke further in these words:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"To far distant times shalt thou, an outcast, crawl<br /> +over the broad earth on thy breast, thy belly; without<br /> +feet shalt thou move about, so long as life and breath<br /> +remain in thee. Dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy<span class="linenum">910</span><a name="Line_910" id="Line_910"></a><br /> +life, since thou hast accomplished so evil a deed here.<br /> +Thee the woman shall war against, and hate thee<br /> +[worse than anything else] under heaven, and shall tread<br /> +upon thine accursed head with her feet; thou shalt lie<br /> +in wait at her heels, in ever-new conflict: for there<br /> +shall be war between thy offspring and her offspring<span class="linenum">915</span><a name="Line_915" id="Line_915"></a><br /> +always, as long as the earth exists under the cloudy<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 149</span><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149"></a> +skies. Now dost thou understand and know, baleful<br /> +destroyer of mankind, how thou shalt live!"<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XI. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then God wrathfully spoke to Eve:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Depart now from bliss! Thou shalt be ever under<br /> +the sway of men; with fear of men cruelly oppressed,<span class="linenum">920</span><a name="Line_920" id="Line_920"></a><br /> +thou shalt sorrowfully endure the heinousness of thine<br /> +offence and wait for death, and with weeping and wailing<br /> +and great anguish bring into the world thy sons and<br /> +daughters!"<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Likewise to Adam did the Eternal Lord, Source of<span class="linenum">925</span><a name="Line_925" id="Line_925"></a><br /> +Light and Life, declare a cruel edict:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Thou shalt seek another country, a joyless dwelling-<br /> +place, and wander in exile, naked and needy, driven<span class="linenum">930</span><a name="Line_930" id="Line_930"></a><br /> +away from the blessings of paradise; the separation of<br /> +soul and body is now ordained for thee. Lo, thou hast<br /> +wickedly originated sin: therefore thou shalt toil, and<br /> +win thy sustenance on earth by thyself, acquire it by<br /> +the sweat of thy face, and thus eat thy bread so long<span class="linenum">935</span><a name="Line_935" id="Line_935"></a><br /> +as thou livest here,—until ungentle disease, which thou<br /> +didst recently take to thyself with the apple, strikes<br /> +thee cruelly to the heart: then shalt thou die."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Behold, we learn thus how bitter afflictions and uni-<span class="linenum">940</span><a name="Line_940" id="Line_940"></a><br /> +versal miseries came upon us.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Thereupon the Guardian of Glory, our Creator, girded<br /> +them with clothing; the Lord bade them cover their<br /> +nakedness with some simple garments, and bade them<br /> +set forth and depart from paradise into a harder life.<br /> +Behind them, by God's command, a holy angel with a<span class="linenum">945</span><a name="Line_945" id="Line_945"></a><br /> +fiery sword shut the gate of their blissful home of peace<br /> +and joy; nor may any guileful sin-stained man ever fare<br /> +thither again, for the warder has might and strength<span class="linenum">950</span><a name="Line_950" id="Line_950"></a><br /> +who keeps for the Lord that greater life rich in glories.<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 150</span><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150"></a> +Yet the Almighty, our First Father, would not take<br /> +away all comforts from Adam and Eve, though they had<br /> +fallen away from him: but he still let the lofty roof<span class="linenum">955</span><a name="Line_955" id="Line_955"></a><br /> +studded with holy stars stand as a solace for them, and<br /> +gave them ample possessions, and bade the seas and<br /> +land bring forth for the pair multitudes of each of the<br /> +young-producing species [necessary] for the sustenance<span class="linenum">960</span><a name="Line_960" id="Line_960"></a><br /> +of this life. So, after their sin, they inhabited a more<br /> +sorrowful land, a dwelling and country less fertile in<br /> +every kind of blessing than their former abode had<br /> +been, from which they had been driven out after their<br /> +misdeed.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then they began, by God's command, to produce<span class="linenum">965</span><a name="Line_965" id="Line_965"></a><br /> +children, as the Lord had charged them. To begin<br /> +with, by Adam and Eve were brought into the world<br /> +two fair first-born sons, Cain and Abel. The books<br /> +tell us how these first toilers, loving brothers, gained<span class="linenum">970</span><a name="Line_970" id="Line_970"></a><br /> +their subsistence, riches and food: the one who was<br /> +elder born tilled the earth with his strength; the second<br /> +kept the flocks, helping his father, until a great number<span class="linenum">975</span><a name="Line_975" id="Line_975"></a><br /> +of days passed. They both brought an offering to the<br /> +Lord: the Prince of the Angels, King of all things, looked<br /> +upon Abel's offering with [favorable] eyes, but would<br /> +not consider the sacrifice of Cain; that caused strong<br /> +indignation in the heart of the man: rage arose in the<span class="linenum">980</span><a name="Line_980" id="Line_980"></a><br /> +youth's breast, livid hatred, and wrath by reason of<br /> +envy: then he wrought evil deeds with his hands, slew<br /> +his kinsman, his own brother, shed his blood,—yea,<span class="linenum">985</span><a name="Line_985" id="Line_985"></a><br /> +Cain [shed] Abel's. And the earth soaked up this blood<br /> +shed by murder, the life-blood of a man.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +After this fatal blow woe was aroused, the long train<br /> +of afflictions: since then from this twig have hatefully<br /> +sprouted ever longer and stronger bitter branches: these<span class="linenum">990</span><a name="Line_990" id="Line_990"></a><br /> +branches of calamity spread far and wide over the nations<br /> +of men: hardly and sorely did the twigs of misery strike<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 151</span><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151"></a> +the sons of men (and so they still do), from which the<br /> +broad leaves of all suffering began to spring. We may<span class="linenum">995</span><a name="Line_995" id="Line_995"></a><br /> +tearfully lament this account, this death-bringing fatal-<br /> +ity, and not in vain: but the fair woman injured us<br /> +[more] severely through the first sin which men dwelling<br /> +on earth ever committed against the Lord, since Adam<span class="linenum">1000</span><a name="Line_1000" id="Line_1000"></a><br /> +was filled with the breath of life by the mouth of God!<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XII. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the Master of Splendor asked Cain through his<br /> +word, where Abel was, upon the earth. Quickly there-<br /> +upon the wicked worker of slaughter answered him:<span class="linenum">1005</span><a name="Line_1005" id="Line_1005"></a><br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"I know not Abel's coming or going, my kinsman's<br /> +course: I was not my brother's keeper!"<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the Prince of Angels, the Spirit rich in good<br /> +things, spoke to him again:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Why didst thou cast that virtuous man, thy brother,<span class="linenum">1010</span><a name="Line_1010" id="Line_1010"></a><br /> +on his death-bed with thy violent hands, and his blood<br /> +now calleth and crieth unto me? For this murder<br /> +shalt thou undergo punishment and wander in exile<span class="linenum">1015</span><a name="Line_1015" id="Line_1015"></a><br /> +accursed unto distant ages: nor shall the earth, fair<br /> +for all necessary sustenance, yield thee harvest, for it<br /> +drank sacred blood at thy hands: therefore the earth,<br /> +verdant in beauty, denies thee its bounties. Infamous,<br /> +thou shalt sorrowfully wander from thy native land,<br /> +because thou hast been Abel's murderer: thou shalt<span class="linenum">1020</span><a name="Line_1020" id="Line_1020"></a><br /> +go forth an outcast over a long road, hateful to all thy<br /> +relatives!"<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then Cain answered him<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a>:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Now I dare not hope for any grace in the kingdoms<br /> +of the world, for I have forfeited, O high King of heaven,<span class="linenum">1025</span><a name="Line_1025" id="Line_1025"></a><br /> +thy favor as well as love and peace: therefore shall I<br /> +travel far ways in expectation of woes, whensoever any<br /> +one far or near shall find me, in my guilt, who may<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 152</span><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152"></a> +remember my crime, my brother's murder: I shed his<span class="linenum">1030</span><a name="Line_1030" id="Line_1030"></a><br /> +blood, his life-blood on the ground. On this day thou<br /> +dost banish me from comfort and drive me from my<br /> +native land: someone of my foes shall be my murderer;<br /> +accursed, O God, shall I wander from thy sight."<span class="linenum">1035</span><a name="Line_1035" id="Line_1035"></a><br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the Lord of Victory spoke to him:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Thou needst not as yet dread the terror of death<br /> +and murder, though thou shalt depart far from thy<br /> +friends, an outcast. If any man by his own hand<span class="linenum">1040</span><a name="Line_1040" id="Line_1040"></a><br /> +deprives thee of life, then shall come upon him sevenfold<br /> +vengeance for his sin, as penalty for his deed."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Our Ruler and glorious Lord set on him a sign, the<span class="linenum">1045</span><a name="Line_1045" id="Line_1045"></a><br /> +Master [set] a symbol of immunity, so that none of his<br /> +foes far or near might dare to approach him with warlike<br /> +intent; then he bade the wicked one leave forever his<br /> +mother and sons, all his family. Thereupon Cain set<br /> +out and departed sorrowing from before the face of God,<span class="linenum">1050</span><a name="Line_1050" id="Line_1050"></a><br /> +a joyless exile, and built himself a dwelling to the east,<br /> +a habitation far from his fatherland: there a fair maiden,<br /> +a woman of the country, bore him offspring.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +The eldest was called Enos, first-born of Cain; he<span class="linenum">1055</span><a name="Line_1055" id="Line_1055"></a><br /> +began at once to build a city, with his kinsfolk: that<br /> +was the first beneath the clouds of all the fortifications<br /> +which heroes and swordsmen have caused to be built.<span class="linenum">1060</span><a name="Line_1060" id="Line_1060"></a><br /> +Therein his offspring first arose, born of his wife in the<br /> +citadel: the eldest son of Enos was called Jared. Thence<br /> +arose the tribe of Cain, which increased the numbers<span class="linenum">1065</span><a name="Line_1065" id="Line_1065"></a><br /> +of its race. Next to Jared, Malalehel was the keeper<br /> +of the heritage after his father, until he passed away.<br /> +Afterwards Mathusal shared the royal treasures with<br /> +his kinsfolk, with his brothers, scion after scion, until<span class="linenum">1070</span><a name="Line_1070" id="Line_1070"></a><br /> +wise through length of days he had to consummate<br /> +his departure from the world and forsake life. After<br /> +his father's day, Lamech received the household<br /> +goods and domestic wealth: two wives, Ada and<span class="linenum">1075</span><a name="Line_1075" id="Line_1075"></a><br /><span class="pagenum">Page 153</span><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153"></a> +Sella, women of the country, bore offspring to him: of<br /> +these one was Jabal by name, son of Lamech, who<br /> +through skilful cunning first of dwellers here below<br /> +awoke by his hands the song of the harp, that melo-<span class="linenum">1080</span><a name="Line_1080" id="Line_1080"></a><br /> +dious sound.<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XIII. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Likewise, at this same time, there was in this family<br /> +a man called Tubal Cain, a son of Lamech, who through<br /> +the abundance of his skill was a master-smith, and first<span class="linenum">1085</span><a name="Line_1085" id="Line_1085"></a><br /> +among men through the craft of his mind he was the<br /> +inventor of agricultural implements upon earth: since<br /> +then the sons of men dwelling in cities have known far<br /> +and wide how to use brass and iron.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Once on a time Lamech himself made in words a wicked<span class="linenum">1090</span><a name="Line_1090" id="Line_1090"></a><br /> +confession to his two wives, his dear bed-fellows, Ada<br /> +and Sella:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"In murder I have slain a certain one among my near<br /> +relations; I stained my hands with the gory death of<span class="linenum">1095</span><a name="Line_1095" id="Line_1095"></a><br /> +Cain, destroyed with my hands the father of Enos, the<br /> +slayer of Abel, and poured on the ground the life-blood<br /> +of a man. Well knew I that for this shall come at last<br /> +the sevenfold vengeance of the King of Truth, great<span class="linenum">1100</span><a name="Line_1100" id="Line_1100"></a><br /> +according to the crime: my fall and destruction shall<br /> +be more sternly meted out, with grim horror, when I<br /> +depart!"—<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Now, there came to Adam in Abel's place another<span class="linenum">1105</span><a name="Line_1105" id="Line_1105"></a><br /> +heir born in legal wedlock, an upright son, whose name<br /> +was Seth: he was happy and contributed greatly to the<br /> +comfort of his parents, Adam and Eve, his father and<br /> +mother, and took Abel's place in worldly affairs.<span class="linenum">1110</span><a name="Line_1110" id="Line_1110"></a><br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the first of men spoke these words:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"The Eternal Lord of Victory and Ruler of Life has<br /> +given me a son in place of the dear one whom Cain<br /> +slew, and our God has driven my grievous sorrow from<span class="linenum">1115</span><a name="Line_1115" id="Line_1115"></a><br /><span class="pagenum">Page 154</span><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154"></a> +my heart with this man-child: to Him be praise for this!"<br /> +When he began again to raise up another son to him-<br /> +self by his wife, to be his heir, Adam the vigorous cham-<br /> +pion had [numbered] 130 winters of this life in the world.<span class="linenum">1120</span><a name="Line_1120" id="Line_1120"></a><br /> +The Scriptures tell us that on earth here for 800 years<br /> +after that, Adam increased his family with maidens<br /> +and youths: in all he had 930<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> winters, when he had to<span class="linenum">1125</span><a name="Line_1125" id="Line_1125"></a><br /> +give over this world through the departure of his spirit.<br /> +After him Seth ruled over the people,<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> the son held<br /> +the heritage after the parents, and took unto himself<span class="linenum">1130</span><a name="Line_1130" id="Line_1130"></a><br /> +a wife: he counted 105 winters when he first began to<br /> +increase the numbers of his family by sons and daughters.<br /> +The eldest son of Seth was called Enos: he first of all<span class="linenum">1135</span><a name="Line_1135" id="Line_1135"></a><br /> +the children of man called upon God,<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> since Adam<br /> +stepped upon the green grass, endowed with the spirit<br /> +of life. Seth was happy, and afterwards begot sons<br /> +and daughters for 807 winters: in all he had 912, when<span class="linenum">1140</span><a name="Line_1140" id="Line_1140"></a><br /> +the time was fulfilled that he should accomplish his<br /> +departure.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +After him, when he departed out of the world, Enos<br /> +held the heritage, after the earth had received the body<span class="linenum">1145</span><a name="Line_1145" id="Line_1145"></a><br /> +of Seth, fruitful in the Lord. He was dear to God, and<br /> +lived here 90 winters before he begot children here by<br /> +his wife through intercourse: to him then was Cainan<br /> +first born, an heir in his ancestral home. Afterwards<span class="linenum">1150</span><a name="Line_1150" id="Line_1150"></a><br /> +for 815 winters<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> in the peace of God, the wise hero<br /> +begot offspring, sons and daughters: he died, the sage<br /> +patriarch, when he had [fulfilled] 905 [years].<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +After Enos, Cainan was chieftain, keeper, and leader<span class="linenum">1155</span><a name="Line_1155" id="Line_1155"></a><br /> +of his race: he had [numbered] 70 winters before a son<br /> +was born to him: when an heir was born for the patri-<br /> +mony, this son of Cainan was called Malalehel. There-<span class="linenum">1160</span><a name="Line_1160" id="Line_1160"></a><br /> +after for 840 [years] he increased the number of his<br /> +family by [begetting] children. In all, the son of Enos<br /> +had [lived] 910 winters, when he left this world, when<span class="linenum">1165</span><a name="Line_1165" id="Line_1165"></a><br /><span class="pagenum">Page 155</span><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155"></a> +the number of his appointed days under the expanse of<br /> +the skies was fulfilled.<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XIV. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +After him Malalehel kept the land and inheritance for<br /> +many seasons. The chieftain had [lived] 65 winters,<span class="linenum">1170</span><a name="Line_1170" id="Line_1170"></a><br /> +when he began to beget children by his wife. His wife<br /> +brought a son to him, the woman to the man: this son<br /> +in his childhood, as I have heard, the man-child in his<br /> +youth, was called Jared. After this Malalehel lived<span class="linenum">1175</span><a name="Line_1175" id="Line_1175"></a><br /> +long and rejoiced in [his] blessings, [all] the delights of<br /> +men here below and worldly treasures: 895 winters had<br /> +he numbered when he departed; to his son he left the<span class="linenum">1180</span><a name="Line_1180" id="Line_1180"></a><br /> +land and the government.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +After him for a long while Yeared dispensed gold to<br /> +the people; the chieftain was noble, a pious hero, and a<br /> +ruler dear to his subjects; 165 expectant winters he<span class="linenum">1185</span><a name="Line_1185" id="Line_1185"></a><br /> +lived his life in this world, when his happiness arrived,<br /> +for his wife brought a son into the world: this son was<br /> +called Enoch, his fair first-born. But the father still<br /> +added descendants to the number of his race, for 800<span class="linenum">1190</span><a name="Line_1190" id="Line_1190"></a><br /> +[years]: in all he had [counted] 965 [years] by night-<br /> +reckoning when he departed, the ancient patriarch,<br /> +when he gave up this world. And Yeared left land and<span class="linenum">1195</span><a name="Line_1195" id="Line_1195"></a><br /> +government to his wise [son], the dear leader.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +After this Enoch raised aloft the sovereignty, the sagaci-<br /> +ous leadership of the people: in no wise did he let fall the<br /> +dominion and authority<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> while he was guardian of his<span class="linenum">1200</span><a name="Line_1200" id="Line_1200"></a><br /> +kinsfolk: he enjoyed days of happiness, and begot sons,<br /> +for 300 winters; the Lord, the Ruler of the Skies, was<br /> +gracious to him. From this world the hero sought in<br /> +the body the joy and bliss of the Lord; in no wise did<span class="linenum">1205</span><a name="Line_1205" id="Line_1205"></a><br /> +he die the death of this earth, as men [ordinarily] do<br /> +here, young and old, when God takes away from them<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 156</span><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156"></a> +their possessions and substance, [all] earth's treasures,<br /> +and their life as well: but while living he set forth with<span class="linenum">1210</span><a name="Line_1210" id="Line_1210"></a><br /> +the King of Angels out of this transitory life into bliss,<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a><br /> +[clad] in the robes which his spirit received before his<br /> +mother brought him forth to men. He left the people<br /> +to his to his eldest son, his first-born; 365 winters had he<span class="linenum">1215</span><a name="Line_1215" id="Line_1215"></a><br /> +[numbered] when he left the world.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +For some time after him, his son Mathusal held the<br /> +inheritance, who for the longest space of time enjoyed<span class="linenum">1220</span><a name="Line_1220" id="Line_1220"></a><br /> +the pleasures of the world in this body: he begot a<br /> +multitude of sons and daughters, before the day of his<br /> +death. When he had to depart from among men, the<br /> +venerable hero had [enjoyed] 970 winters.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +After him, his son Lamech held the government: for<span class="linenum">1225</span><a name="Line_1225" id="Line_1225"></a><br /> +a long time thereafter he ruled over the world; he had<br /> +[lived] 102 winters when the season came for the chief-<br /> +tain to begin to beget noble heirs, sons and daughters.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +After this the lord and chief of the people lived 595<span class="linenum">1230</span><a name="Line_1230" id="Line_1230"></a><br /> +[years], enjoyed many a winter under the skies, ruled<br /> +the race well, and begot children: youths and maidens<br /> +arose as heirs to him. The eldest of them he named<br /> +Noe, who reigned over the land among men after Lamech<span class="linenum">1235</span><a name="Line_1235" id="Line_1235"></a><br /> +departed.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +This sage ruler of the noblemen was 500 years old<br /> +when he first began to beget children, as the books tell.<br /> +The eldest son of Noe was called Sem, the next Cham,<span class="linenum">1240</span><a name="Line_1240" id="Line_1240"></a><br /> +the third Jafeth.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +The people multiplied widely under the skies: the<br /> +race of men increased in number over the earth, by<span class="linenum">1245</span><a name="Line_1245" id="Line_1245"></a><br /> +[the birth of] sons and daughters. Now the descendants<br /> +of Seth, that beloved leader of the people, were still<br /> +very much cherished, dear to the Lord and prosperous.<br /> +</p> +<p style="clear:both;"><span class="pagenum">Page 157</span><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157"></a></p> +<h3> + XV. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +But when the sons of God began to seek brides among<br /> +the race of Cain, the accursed folk, and chose wives<span class="linenum">1250</span><a name="Line_1250" id="Line_1250"></a><br /> +from among them against the will of God, the children<br /> +of men from among the sinful maidens, beautiful and<br /> +bright, then the Ruler of the heavens pronounced his<br /> +wrath against mankind and spoke these words:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"The men of Cain's race have not been absent from<span class="linenum">1255</span><a name="Line_1255" id="Line_1255"></a><br /> +my mind, but that stock has sorely offended me. Now<br /> +the sons of Seth renew my wrath and take to themselves<br /> +the maidens of my enemies as wives: the fairness of the<span class="linenum">1260</span><a name="Line_1260" id="Line_1260"></a><br /> +women, the maidens' faces, and the eternal Fiend have<br /> +shamefully captivated the multitude of men who were<br /> +formerly in peace."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +After that, for 120 winters, duly numbered, exile<br /> +afflicted the accursed race in this world; then the Lord<span class="linenum">1265</span><a name="Line_1265" id="Line_1265"></a><br /> +wished to inflict punishment upon the covenant-breakers,<br /> +and to smite with death the doers of evil, the giant folk<br /> +unloved by God, the great and sinful foes hateful to the<br /> +Lord, when the Wielder of Victory himself saw what<span class="linenum">1270</span><a name="Line_1270" id="Line_1270"></a><br /> +was man's wickedness on earth, and how they all were<br /> +bold in crime and utterly vicious. He thought to<br /> +punish rigorously the races of men, to seize upon the<span class="linenum">1275</span><a name="Line_1275" id="Line_1275"></a><br /> +peoples grimly and sorely, with cruel might: he repented<br /> +exceedingly that he had ever created the author of the<br /> +nations, the source of the peoples, when he fashioned<br /> +Adam. He said that on account of the sins of men he<br /> +would utterly blot out all that there was on earth,<span class="linenum">1280</span><a name="Line_1280" id="Line_1280"></a><br /> +destroy every one of the bodies in whose bosom the<br /> +breath of life was concealed: all that came near to the<br /> +sons of men, the Lord determined to annihilate.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Noe, the son of Lamech, just and honorable, was dear<span class="linenum">1285</span><a name="Line_1285" id="Line_1285"></a><br /> +to God, the Preserver. The Lord knew that the virtue<br /> +of the true man prevailed in the innermost thoughts of<br /> +his breast; therefore the Lord, holy in helpfulness, Pro- <span class="linenum">1290</span><a name="Line_1290" id="Line_1290"></a><br /> +tector of all men, told him by revelation what he pur-<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 158</span><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158"></a> +posed inflicting upon the wicked ones: for he saw the<br /> +earth full of unrighteousness, the broad plains laden<br /> +with sin, polluted with foulness. Then spoke the Al-<span class="linenum">1295</span><a name="Line_1295" id="Line_1295"></a><br /> +mighty, our Saviour, and said to Noe:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"I am resolved to destroy humanity by means of a<br /> +deluge, and also every kind of living thing that the air<br /> +and waters produce and support, both beast and bird:<br /> +but thou shalt have shelter, with thy sons, when the<span class="linenum">1300</span><a name="Line_1300" id="Line_1300"></a><br /> +dark waters, the black floods of death, destroy mankind,<br /> +the vile sinners. Begin to build thee a ship, a mighty<br /> +sea-house, in which thou shalt give a place of refuge<br /> +to many a one and a safe home to every species on earth,<span class="linenum">1305</span><a name="Line_1305" id="Line_1305"></a><br /> +after thine own. Build partitions in the midst of the<br /> +ship. Make the boat fifty cubits wide, thirty high,<br /> +three hundred long, and joint it stoutly against the<span class="linenum">1310</span><a name="Line_1310" id="Line_1310"></a><br /> +assault of the waves. There shall be a creature of every<br /> +living species, a scion of every race on earth, led within<br /> +that wooden fortress; so must the Ark be the greater!"<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Noe did as the Lord commanded him, obeyed the<span class="linenum">1315</span><a name="Line_1315" id="Line_1315"></a><br /> +holy King of Heaven, began at once to build that Ark,<br /> +the mighty sea-chest; he told his kinsmen that there<br /> +was a horrible thing impending over the people, dire<br /> +punishment: but they heeded this not at all. Then,<span class="linenum">1320</span><a name="Line_1320" id="Line_1320"></a><br /> +after several winters, the Changeless Lord saw that the<br /> +vast sea-house, Noe's vessel, towered up in readiness,<br /> +strengthened within and without with the best earth-<br /> +lime, against the waves; it is unique in its kind: the<br /> +harder the fierce waters of the dark billows beat it, the<span class="linenum">1325</span><a name="Line_1325" id="Line_1325"></a><br /> +stouter does it ever become.<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XVI. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then our Preserver spoke to Noe: "I give thee my<br /> +pledge for this, O dearest of mankind, that thou mayst<br /> +now take up thy course with the creatures of all kinds<span class="linenum">1330</span><a name="Line_1330" id="Line_1330"></a><br /><span class="pagenum">Page 159</span><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159"></a> +which thou shalt bear across the deep water for many<br /> +days, in the bosom of thy vessel. Lead on board the<br /> +Ark, as I bid thee, thy sons, the three first-born, and<br /> +your four wives. And do thou take into the sea-house<span class="linenum">1335</span><a name="Line_1335" id="Line_1335"></a><br /> +seven [members] duly counted of each of the species that<br /> +live to [supply] nourishment for men, and two of each<br /> +of the others: likewise take on the Ark some of all plants<br /> +growing on earth used for food by the people who are<span class="linenum">1340</span><a name="Line_1340" id="Line_1340"></a><br /> +to sail over the floods with thee. Feed freely the differ-<br /> +ent species of animals, until I shall prepare a place under<br /> +heaven by my Word for those who are saved from this<br /> +watery journey. Depart now with thy household into<span class="linenum">1345</span><a name="Line_1345" id="Line_1345"></a><br /> +the Ark, with the multitude of dependent things; I know<br /> +thee for a good and true man: thou art worthy of<br /> +safety and mercy, with thy sons. In seven nights now I<br /> +shall let the deadly rain fall from above upon the face<span class="linenum">1350</span><a name="Line_1350" id="Line_1350"></a><br /> +of the broad earth. For forty days will I set my ven-<br /> +geance against mankind, and with a deluge blot out all<br /> +the possessions and possessors that are beyond the sides<br /> +of the Ark, when the black storm begins to descend."<span class="linenum">1355</span><a name="Line_1355" id="Line_1355"></a><br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then Noe left him, as our Preserver commanded, in<br /> +order to lead his children on board the Ark, men and their<br /> +wives together on the great ship; and all that God Al-<br /> +mighty wished to preserve for perpetuating their spe-<br /> +cies, went on board to their food-giver, as the Almighty<span class="linenum">1360</span><a name="Line_1360" id="Line_1360"></a><br /> +Lord of Hosts bade them through his word. With his<br /> +own hands, the Guardian of Heaven, Wielder of Victory,<br /> +locked the entrance of the sea-house behind them, and<span class="linenum">1365</span><a name="Line_1365" id="Line_1365"></a><br /> +our Saviour blessed [all] within the Ark with his own<br /> +grace. Noe, the son of Lamech, had 600 winters when<br /> +he embarked with his sons, at God's command,—that<span class="linenum">1370</span><a name="Line_1370" id="Line_1370"></a><br /> +wise man, with the young people, his dear kinsfolk.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +The Lord sent rain from heaven, and likewise let<br /> +the springs from every source rush upon the world far<br /> +and wide, [let] the dark ocean-streams burst forth in<span class="linenum">1375</span><a name="Line_1375" id="Line_1375"></a><br /><span class="pagenum">Page 160</span><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160"></a> +tumult: the seas rose up over the boundaries of the<br /> +shore. Strong and stern was He who ruled the waters,<br /> +for he covered and shrouded with wan waters the accursed<br /> +wickedness of the sons of the earth and devastated the<span class="linenum">1380</span><a name="Line_1380" id="Line_1380"></a><br /> +land and homes of men: the Lord wreaked [his fury]<br /> +upon men for their offences. The sea cruelly gripped<br /> +the wretched folk for forty days, and nights as many<br /> +bitter was the suffering then, cruelly fateful to men.<br /> +The waves of the King of Glory drove the souls of the<span class="linenum">1385</span><a name="Line_1385" id="Line_1385"></a><br /> +vicious ones forth from their bodies. The flood covered<br /> +everything; turbid under the sky [it covered] the high<br /> +mountains over the broad earth, and on its crest raised<br /> +the Ark aloft from the ground, and its noble crew with it,<br /> +[the Ark] which the Lord Himself, our Creator, blessed,<span class="linenum">1390</span><a name="Line_1390" id="Line_1390"></a><br /> +when he locked the ship. Thereafter this best of ships<br /> +rode widely under the skies over the circle of the sea,<br /> +fared [forth] with its freight: the terrors of the flood<span class="linenum">1395</span><a name="Line_1395" id="Line_1395"></a><br /> +would have seized them with violence in the sea-traver-<br /> +sing vessel, but the Holy God led and preserved them.<br /> +Fifteen ells deep, by man's measure, stood the deluge<br /> +over the hills. That is a memorable occurrence: there<span class="linenum">1400</span><a name="Line_1400" id="Line_1400"></a><br /> +was nothing at hand for [the Ark] but destruction,<br /> +except that it was raised aloft into the upper air when<br /> +the inundation killed all creatures upon earth other than<br /> +those whom the Lord of Heaven saved on board the Ark,<br /> +when the Holy God everlasting, the steadfast King, let<span class="linenum">1405</span><a name="Line_1405" id="Line_1405"></a><br /> +[the flood] rise up with ever-increasing<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> stream.<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XVII. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then God, Wielder of Victory, was mindful of those<br /> +floating on the deep, the son of Lamech and all his<span class="linenum">1410</span><a name="Line_1410" id="Line_1410"></a><br /> +family, whom the Source of Light and Life had locked<br /> +up against the water in the bosom of the ship. The<br /> +Lord of mankind led the heroes by his Word over far<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 161</span><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161"></a> +lands. Soon the flood began to abate; the deluge ebbed,<br /> +dark under the sky: the true God had turned back again<span class="linenum">1415</span><a name="Line_1415" id="Line_1415"></a><br /> +the foaming waves, for his children; the Glorious One<br /> +[had] stilled the cataracts of rain. For 150 nights under<br /> +the skies the foamy ship floated, from the time when<br /> +the well-nailed sides of this best of boats first arose<br /> +upon the flood until this number of days of dire time<span class="linenum">1420</span><a name="Line_1420" id="Line_1420"></a><br /> +had passed. Then the Ark of Noe, greatest of ocean-<br /> +homes, settled on high with its burden on the hills which<br /> +are called Armenia: there the pious son of Lamech<span class="linenum">1425</span><a name="Line_1425" id="Line_1425"></a><br /> +awaited the sure promises for a long time, when the<br /> +Keeper of Life, the Almighty King, gave him relief from<br /> +the perilous chances which he had long undergone,<br /> +when the dark waves bore him abroad on the deep over<span class="linenum">1430</span><a name="Line_1430" id="Line_1430"></a><br /> +far countries.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +The flood was sinking; the sea-farers, the heroes and<br /> +their wives, longed [for the time] when they might<br /> +venture to step out of their straitened quarters over the<br /> +well-nailed side out on the bank, and take their goods<span class="linenum">1435</span><a name="Line_1435" id="Line_1435"></a><br /> +out of their crowded home. So the guardian of the ship<br /> +tried to find out whether the waters were still sinking<br /> +under the clouds: accordingly, after many days from the<br /> +time the high mountain-sides received the possessions<span class="linenum">1440</span><a name="Line_1440" id="Line_1440"></a><br /> +and persons of the races of earth, the son of Lamech<br /> +let a black raven fly out of the Ark over the high flood.<br /> +Noe believed that if it found no land in its flight, it<span class="linenum">1445</span><a name="Line_1445" id="Line_1445"></a><br /> +would zealously seek him again on the ship over the wide<br /> +water. But this hope failed him; for the evil [bird]<br /> +alighted upon a floating corpse: the dark-feathered fowl<br /> +would not seek [further]. Then again after a week he sent<br /> +from the Ark a purple dove to fly over the high water<span class="linenum">1450</span><a name="Line_1450" id="Line_1450"></a><br /> +after the dark raven, for the purpose of finding out<br /> +whether the foamy sea, the ocean, had given up any<br /> +portion of the green earth, as yet. Widely she sought<span class="linenum">1455</span><a name="Line_1455" id="Line_1455"></a><br /> +her desired object, and flew afar: nowhere did she find<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 162</span><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162"></a> +a resting-place, since she could not settle on land on foot<br /> +because of the flood, nor alight on a leaf of a tree<br /> +because of the waves; for the steep mountain-sides were<span class="linenum">1460</span><a name="Line_1460" id="Line_1460"></a><br /> +hidden by the waters. The wild bird set out in the<br /> +evening to seek the Ark over the dusky flood, and sank<br /> +weary and famished in the hands of the pious hero.<br /> +Then after a week the wild-dove was again sent out<span class="linenum">1465</span><a name="Line_1465" id="Line_1465"></a><br /> +from the Ark: she flew far, until greatly rejoicing she<br /> +found a fair place for rest and settled with her feet on<br /> +a tree; she exulted glad at heart, because exceedingly<br /> +weary [as she was] she could sit in the bright branches<span class="linenum">1470</span><a name="Line_1470" id="Line_1470"></a><br /> +of a tree: she shook out her wings and started to fly<br /> +back again with her gift, [for she] brought in her flight<br /> +an olive twig, green leaves, into the hands of one [on<br /> +board]. Then quickly the leader of the voyagers per-<span class="linenum">1475</span><a name="Line_1475" id="Line_1475"></a><br /> +ceived that solace had come, relief from their perilous<br /> +experience. So again after a third week the happy<br /> +man sent out a wild dove; it did not come flying back<br /> +to the ship, for it found land, green groves: the glad<span class="linenum">1480</span><a name="Line_1480" id="Line_1480"></a><br /> +creature did not wish to show itself ever again under the<br /> +pitch-smeared roof on the Ark, when there was no need.<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XVIII. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then to Noe spoke our Preserver, Ruler of Heaven,<br /> +with holy voice:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"For you is a dwelling-place again appointed, fair<span class="linenum">1485</span><a name="Line_1485" id="Line_1485"></a><br /> +on the dry land, joys on earth and rest after your voyage.<br /> +Depart in peace out of the Ark, and lead forth upon the<br /> +bosom of the earth out of this lofty structure your com-<br /> +panions and all the creatures which I mercifully preserved<span class="linenum">1490</span><a name="Line_1490" id="Line_1490"></a><br /> +from the peril of the flood, while the deluge held sway<br /> +[and] covered your home with its abundance.<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a>"<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +He did so, and obeyed the Lord, stood forth upon the<br /> +strand, as the Voice bade him, and with great joy led<span class="linenum">1495</span><a name="Line_1495" id="Line_1495"></a><br /><span class="pagenum">Page 163</span><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163"></a> +out of the ship the survivors of these perils.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then Noe began to institute a sacrifice to our Preserver,<br /> +and immediately took a part of all his possessions which<br /> +the Lord had given to him for his comfort, and then,<span class="linenum">1500</span><a name="Line_1500" id="Line_1500"></a><br /> +zealous for the offering, even to God Himself, King of<br /> +the Angels, the clear-souled man proffered the sacrifice.<br /> +Certainly our Saviour let it be known, when he blessed<span class="linenum">1505</span><a name="Line_1505" id="Line_1505"></a><br /> +Noe and his sons too, that [the patriarch] had given Him<br /> +this offering acceptably and in his youth had merited<br /> +by his good deeds that Almighty God, Glorious in<br /> +Splendor, should be gracious to him with all blessings.<span class="linenum">1510</span><a name="Line_1510" id="Line_1510"></a><br /> +Then again the Lord, Ruler of Glory, spoke a word to<br /> +Noe:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Increase now and multiply, enjoy your honor, with<br /> +the gladness of peace: fill the earth, make all things teem.<br /> +Into your possession is given a noble heritage, the produce<span class="linenum">1515</span><a name="Line_1515" id="Line_1515"></a><br /> +of the sea, the fowls of heaven, and the wild beasts,—<br /> +the verdant earth and every treasure. You shall<br /> +never dishonorably procure your food through bloodshed,<span class="linenum">1520</span><a name="Line_1520" id="Line_1520"></a><br /> +sinfully stricken in its life-blood. Each one first of all<br /> +injures himself in the riches of the spirit, who with the<br /> +edge of the sword takes the life of another: nor shall<br /> +he dare to rejoice in thought over the spoils, for I will<br /> +avenge a man's death all the more severely upon the<span class="linenum">1525</span><a name="Line_1525" id="Line_1525"></a><br /> +slayer and upon the fratricide, in proportion as blood-<br /> +shed, the slaughter of a man with weapons, or murder by<br /> +[violent] hands, seems to succeed. Man was first created<br /> +in the likeness of God: every man has the form of the<span class="linenum">1530</span><a name="Line_1530" id="Line_1530"></a><br /> +Lord and of the Angels, whose virtues follow my holy<br /> +will. Increase and multiply, enjoy riches and honor on<br /> +earth. Fill the countries of the world with people, your<br /> +offspring, sons and daughters. I will set up for you this<span class="linenum">1535</span><a name="Line_1535" id="Line_1535"></a><br /> +my pledge, that I will never again let loose the floods<br /> +upon the earth, the waters over the broad lands: you<br /> +may see this witness frequently upon the clouds, when<span class="linenum">1540</span><a name="Line_1540" id="Line_1540"></a><br /><span class="pagenum">Page 164</span><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164"></a> +I show my rainbow, [as proof] that I will certainly keep<br /> +this bond with men, while the world lasts."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Thus was the prudent son of Lamech, the keeper of<br /> +the heritage, disembarked from his ship after the flood<span class="linenum">1545</span><a name="Line_1545" id="Line_1545"></a><br /> +with his three sons; and their four wives were named<br /> +Percoba, Olla, Olliva, and Ollivani,<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> saved from the<br /> +waters by the true God. The stout-minded heroes,<span class="linenum">1550</span><a name="Line_1550" id="Line_1550"></a><br /> +the sons of Noe, were called Sem and Cham, and the third<br /> +Iafeth: from these warriors the nations sprang and all<br /> +this earth was filled with the children of men.<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XIX. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then for the second time Noe began to establish his<span class="linenum">1555</span><a name="Line_1555" id="Line_1555"></a><br /> +home, with his kinsfolk, and to till the earth for food;<br /> +he struggled and toiled, planted a vineyard, sowed many<br /> +seeds and tended them carefully, so that the green<span class="linenum">1560</span><a name="Line_1560" id="Line_1560"></a><br /> +earth, with its fertile boon, brought him fair harvests.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then it befell once that the blessed man was in his<br /> +dwelling, drunken with wine; weary of feasting he slept,<br /> +and thrust the robe from his body, as was not fitting, and<span class="linenum">1565</span><a name="Line_1565" id="Line_1565"></a><br /> +lay there with naked limbs: little he noticed that it went<br /> +so ill with him in his hall, when intoxication in his breast<br /> +gripped his heart in the holy house. In this torpor his<span class="linenum">1570</span><a name="Line_1570" id="Line_1570"></a><br /> +intelligence was cruelly crippled, so that he could not<br /> +call to mind [the necessity for] covering himself with his<br /> +clothing and concealing his nakedness, as was ordained<br /> +for men and women, ever since the minister of Glory<span class="linenum">1575</span><a name="Line_1575" id="Line_1575"></a><br /> +locked the native abode of life behind our [first father]<br /> +and mother, with a fiery sword. Now Cam, the son<br /> +of Noe, chanced to come in where his father lay bereft<br /> +of consciousness: thereupon would he dutifully no honor<span class="linenum">1580</span><a name="Line_1580" id="Line_1580"></a><br /> +show to his own father nor at least conceal the dis-<br /> +grace from his kinsmen; but laughing aloud he told<br /> +his brothers how the patriarch rested in the house.<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 165</span><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165"></a> +They repaired thither speedily, their faces carefully<span class="linenum">1585</span><a name="Line_1585" id="Line_1585"></a><br /> +veiled under cloaks, so that they bore aid to the dear<br /> +man: they were both good men, Sem and Iafeth.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the son of Lamech awoke from his sleep and<br /> +soon perceived that Cham would not show him, the nobly<span class="linenum">1590</span><a name="Line_1590" id="Line_1590"></a><br /> +born, any affection and duty, when honor was due him.<br /> +That was bitter to the heart of the holy man, and he<br /> +began to curse his son with [harsh] words: he said that<br /> +Ham should be humbled under the heavens, the servant<span class="linenum">1595</span><a name="Line_1595" id="Line_1595"></a><br /> +of his kinsfolk on earth: on him and his race those<br /> +baneful words have fallen heavily, ever since. Then<br /> +Noe enjoyed his broad heritage with his sons, free men,<br /> +for 350 winters of this life after the flood: then he passed<span class="linenum">1600</span><a name="Line_1600" id="Line_1600"></a><br /> +away.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +After that his sons dispensed the treasures: they<br /> +begot children: great was their wealth. Thus to Iafeth<br /> +was progeny born, a pleasing family of promising young<span class="linenum">1605</span><a name="Line_1605" id="Line_1605"></a><br /> +ones, sons and daughters. He was a good man [and]<br /> +ever prosperously held his patrimony, [sharing his]<br /> +abundance with his children, until the treasure of his<br /> +breast, his spirit longing for release, was summoned to<span class="linenum">1610</span><a name="Line_1610" id="Line_1610"></a><br /> +the judgment of God: thereupon Geomor, Iafeth's son,<br /> +shared his father's property with his friends, dear ones,<br /> +and relatives; with his descendants was filled by genera-<br /> +tion no small portion of the earth.—<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Sons of Cham were born, likewise, heirs for the pa-<span class="linenum">1615</span><a name="Line_1615" id="Line_1615"></a><br /> +trimony: the eldest were called Chus and Cham, very<br /> +noble of soul, the first-born of Cham. Chus was the<br /> +chief of the leaders, dispenser of treasure and worldly<span class="linenum">1620</span><a name="Line_1620" id="Line_1620"></a><br /> +riches to his brothers, the private property of his father,<br /> +after Cham fared forth from the body when death fell<br /> +to his lot. This leader of the people delivered judgments<span class="linenum">1625</span><a name="Line_1625" id="Line_1625"></a><br /> +for his race until the number of his days had run: then<br /> +the hero yielded up this world's goods and sought another<br /> +life. After that, the son of Chus, first-born of the<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 166</span><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166"></a> +brothers, ruled the paternal<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> heritage, a widely known<span class="linenum">1630</span><a name="Line_1630" id="Line_1630"></a><br /> +man. So the Scriptures tell us, that he had the greatest<br /> +might and strength of all mankind, in those days: he<br /> +was a prince of the Babylonian Empire, and first of the<br /> +nobles raised, spread, and exalted its fame. At that<span class="linenum">1635</span><a name="Line_1635" id="Line_1635"></a><br /> +time one tongue was still common to all dwellers on<br /> +earth.<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XX. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Likewise from Cam's stock sprang many descendants,<br /> +and to these numerous people great families were born.—<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Furthermore many sons and daughters were born into<span class="linenum">1640</span><a name="Line_1640" id="Line_1640"></a><br /> +the world to Sem, noble folk, before the ruler of men<br /> +took to his death-bed, in the course of years. In this<br /> +family were good men, of whom one was called Eber, a<span class="linenum">1645</span><a name="Line_1645" id="Line_1645"></a><br /> +son of Sem: from this chief sprang a multitude of people,<br /> +whom all nations and earth-dwellers now call Hebrews.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +They set out then to take their posssesions from the<br /> +eastward, live-stock and treasure; the people were un-<span class="linenum">1650</span><a name="Line_1650" id="Line_1650"></a><br /> +animous: the vigorous heroes sought a less crowded land,<br /> +until the migrating folk in great multitudes came where<br /> +their noble leaders firmly took possession. The rulers<span class="linenum">1655</span><a name="Line_1655" id="Line_1655"></a><br /> +of the people settled with their dear followers in Sennar,<br /> +ample and broad; in the years of their life the fields<br /> +were ever verdant and the earth fair for the people at<br /> +that time, with increasing abundance of each [kind of]<span class="linenum">1661</span><a name="Line_1661" id="Line_1661"></a><br /> +treasure.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then many a man argued with his dear friend, one<br /> +resolute hero with another, that for their greater glory,<br /> +before the masses of the people should scatter again over<span class="linenum">1665</span><a name="Line_1665" id="Line_1665"></a><br /> +the earth, numbers of the nation in search of land, they<br /> +should build a city and raise up a tower to the stars of<br /> +heaven as a sign that they had sought Sennar fields because<br /> +the mighty fore-fathers of the race, the patriarchs, long<span class="linenum">1670</span><a name="Line_1670" id="Line_1670"></a><br /> +lived there with pleasure: with craft the people wrought,<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 167</span><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167"></a> +in labor and industry, until in arrogance and rashness they<br /> +showed their skill, built a fortress and raised aloft scaling-<span class="linenum">1675</span><a name="Line_1675" id="Line_1675"></a><br /> +ladders towards heaven, mightily erected a solid stone wall<br /> +beyond man's measure, eager for glory:—[all this did] the<br /> +heroes with their hands. Then Holy God came to inspect<br /> +the work of the race of men, the fortress of the warriors,<span class="linenum">1680</span><a name="Line_1680" id="Line_1680"></a><br /> +and that beacon-tower likewise which the sons of Adam<br /> +began to rear up to the skies; and the steadfast King<br /> +achieved the prevention of this evil design, when in<br /> +wrath he distributed different languages among the<span class="linenum">1685</span><a name="Line_1685" id="Line_1685"></a><br /> +inhabitants of earth, so that they no longer had control<br /> +of their speech. They found then multitudes at the<br /> +tower with victorious strength, leaders of work in vast<br /> +battalions: but not one of the tribes understood what<span class="linenum">1690</span><a name="Line_1690" id="Line_1690"></a><br /> +another was saying. It could not be, that they should<br /> +build up the stone wall further; but they wretchedly<br /> +parted in bands separated by their speech: one had<br /> +become to another a strange race, after the Lord by the<span class="linenum">1695</span><a name="Line_1695" id="Line_1695"></a><br /> +fullness of his might had confused the speech of men.<br /> +The disunited sons of the patriarchs then parted in<br /> +four directions to seek land: behind them, both the<span class="linenum">1700</span><a name="Line_1700" id="Line_1700"></a><br /> +mighty tower of stone and the lofty city stood on Sennar<br /> +[plain] together, half-finished.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the race of Sem increased and multiplied under<br /> +the clouds, until a man arose in the number of that<br /> +kingly people, a sagacious man, prudent in habit. To<span class="linenum">1705</span><a name="Line_1705" id="Line_1705"></a><br /> +this nobleman sons were born, two free children were<br /> +born in Babylon, and these chieftains, strong-minded<br /> +heroes, were called Abraham and Aaron. The Sovereign<span class="linenum">1710</span><a name="Line_1710" id="Line_1710"></a><br /> +of the Angels was friend and guide to both these leaders.<br /> +Then to Aaron was born a son, upright in life, whose<br /> +name was Loth. Thereafter the righteous heroes,<br /> +Abraham and Loth, throve nobly in the Lord's sight, as<span class="linenum">1715</span><a name="Line_1715" id="Line_1715"></a><br /> +the inheritance in the kingdom came to them from their<br /> +parents; therefore they widely glorified the sons of men<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 168</span><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168"></a> +with gifts.<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XXI. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Now the period of time had come when Abraham<span class="linenum">1720</span><a name="Line_1720" id="Line_1720"></a><br /> +brought a wife, a fair and free-born bride to his house,<br /> +where he possessed a dwelling: the woman was named<br /> +Sarra, as the books tell us. They enjoyed life thus for<br /> +many winters, held the property together in peace for<span class="linenum">1725</span><a name="Line_1725" id="Line_1725"></a><br /> +many years. But it was not vouchsafed to Abraham<br /> +as yet that his bright-faced bride should bring into the<br /> +world a guardian for his heritage, that Sarra [should<br /> +bear] sons and daughters to Abraham.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then Abraham's father set out with his family and<span class="linenum">1730</span><a name="Line_1730" id="Line_1730"></a><br /> +[all] his substance to pass through the Caldean country:<br /> +he wisely wished to seek the land of Canan, with his<br /> +household. The cousins chosen by the Lord, Abraham<br /> +and Loth, went with him out of their heritage. Then<span class="linenum">1735</span><a name="Line_1735" id="Line_1735"></a><br /> +the nobly-born sons of the patriarchs took up their<br /> +dwelling in Carran, the men with their wives. In his<br /> +home here Abraham's father departed this life, the<span class="linenum">1740</span><a name="Line_1740" id="Line_1740"></a><br /> +steadfast worthy: he had told 205 winters, in all, when<br /> +he fared forth ripe in years to meet his fate.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the holy Guardian of the heavenly kingdom, the<span class="linenum">1745</span><a name="Line_1745" id="Line_1745"></a><br /> +Eternal Lord, spoke to Abraham:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Set forth now, and take thy movable possessions and<br /> +fertile herds with thee. Give up Carran, thy father's<br /> +dwelling-place. Depart, as I bid thee, O dearest of<br /> +men, and heed well my instructions, and seek the land<span class="linenum">1750</span><a name="Line_1750" id="Line_1750"></a><br /> +which I shall show thee, a broad verdant country. Thou<br /> +shalt live blessed under my protection: if any of the<br /> +dwellers on earth greet thee with evil, I will set upon<span class="linenum">1755</span><a name="Line_1755" id="Line_1755"></a><br /> +them my curse and my hatred, long-lasting affliction;<br /> +and I shall give favors, abundance of blessings, to those<br /> +who treat thee well. Through thee shall all earth-<br /> +dwellers, sons of man, receive peace and friendship,<span class="linenum">1760</span><a name="Line_1760" id="Line_1760"></a><br /><span class="pagenum">Page 169</span><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169"></a> +my grace and blessing, in this world. Far spreading<br /> +under the sun shall be the number of thy race by [the<br /> +birth of] sons and daughters, until many a region of the<span class="linenum">1765</span><a name="Line_1765" id="Line_1765"></a><br /> +earth shall be filled with thy progeny."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then Abraham, preëminently upright, rich, and blessed<br /> +with gold and silver, set out to take his flocks and<br /> +possessions from Carran into the country of Egipt, as<span class="linenum">1770</span><a name="Line_1770" id="Line_1770"></a><br /> +the Warder of Victory, our Ruler, bade him through his<br /> +Word: they sought the land and nation of Canan. Thus<br /> +the man dear to God came to lead his wife, his dear bed-<span class="linenum">1775</span><a name="Line_1775" id="Line_1775"></a><br /> +fellow, and his nephew's wife, into this inheritance, into<br /> +happiness. He had [numbered] 75 winters when he<br /> +had to fare forth, to give up Carran and his kinsfolk.<br /> +So Abraham set out, mindful of the instructions of the<span class="linenum">1780</span><a name="Line_1780" id="Line_1780"></a><br /> +Father Almighty, to look for the broad land beyond<br /> +these nations, at his Lord's command, until prospering<br /> +in his journey the courageous man came to Siem, of the<br /> +Cananite race. Then the Lord and King of the Angels,<br /> +Sovereign of men, manifested himself to Abraham and<span class="linenum">1785</span><a name="Line_1785" id="Line_1785"></a><br /> +said:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"This is the country, verdant and bright and adorned<br /> +with fruits, that I intend to give into the power of thy<br /> +descendants, an ample kingdom!"<span class="linenum">1790</span><a name="Line_1790" id="Line_1790"></a><br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the good man built an altar and offered sacrifice<br /> +to the Ruler of Life and Source of Light, the Protector<br /> +of souls. Thereupon Abraham traveled still further from<br /> +the east in order to search with his eyes for the choicest<span class="linenum">1795</span><a name="Line_1795" id="Line_1795"></a><br /> +of lands (he remembered the favors, God's promises,<br /> +which the King of Victory Himself truthfully declared<br /> +to him through his holy word), until the people came with<br /> +their possessions to the place where the town is called<br /> +Bethlem: the glad-hearted chieftain and his brother's<span class="linenum">1800</span><a name="Line_1800" id="Line_1800"></a><br /> +son, pious men, went forward over the storied land from<br /> +the east, with their possessions, over the precipitous<br /> +mountain-sides, and chose a dwelling-place for them-<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 170</span><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170"></a> +selves where the fields seemed bright and fair to them.<span class="linenum">1805</span><a name="Line_1805" id="Line_1805"></a><br /> +</p> +<h3> + XXII. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +There Abraham for the second time built an altar:<br /> +there he called upon God with noble words, and offered<br /> +sacrifice to the Lord of his life. Not at all sparingly<br /> +did God, through His own hand, give him reward for<br /> +this,—rich bounty, in the very place of sacrifice.<span class="linenum">1810</span><a name="Line_1810" id="Line_1810"></a><br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +There for a while the wise leader dwelt in his home<br /> +and enjoyed happiness, the hero with his bride, until a<br /> +frightful calamity began to press upon the Cananite<br /> +race, cruel hunger, deadly to home-staying men. Then<span class="linenum">1815</span><a name="Line_1815" id="Line_1815"></a><br /> +the wise Abraham, chosen by the Lord, went into Egypt<br /> +to seek sustenance; the sage fled before evil: the plague<br /> +was too strong. Abraham spoke,—for he saw the white<span class="linenum">1820</span><a name="Line_1820" id="Line_1820"></a><br /> +pinnacled halls of Egypt and the tall cities shining<br /> +brightly,—and then the ruler, the sagacious man, began<br /> +to instruct his wife, in these words:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"When many haughty Egyptians shall gaze with<br /> +their eyes upon thy countenance, then should the nobly-<span class="linenum">1825</span><a name="Line_1825" id="Line_1825"></a><br /> +born chieftains suppose, O woman fair as a goddess, that<br /> +thou art my bright bed-fellow whom some one of the<br /> +warriors will wish to have for himself, then I may well<br /> +fear for myself lest some one of my foes may deprive<span class="linenum">1830</span><a name="Line_1830" id="Line_1830"></a><br /> +me of life with the edge of his sword by reason of his<br /> +amorous desire. Say then, Sarra, that thou art my<br /> +sister, my blood-relation, when the strange men ask<br /> +thee what degree of familiarity may exist between us<span class="linenum">1835</span><a name="Line_1835" id="Line_1835"></a><br /> +two foreigners, who come from so far away: hold fast<br /> +true speech from them, and thus thou shalt preserve<br /> +my life,—if the Lord of Peace, our Almighty Ruler,<br /> +grant me longer life in this world, as he did before, who<span class="linenum">1840</span><a name="Line_1840" id="Line_1840"></a><br /> +ordained these travels for us in order that we might seek<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 171</span><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171"></a> +aid and secure sustenance for ourselves in Egipt."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Thereupon Abraham, the vigorous leader, proceeded<span class="linenum">1845</span><a name="Line_1845" id="Line_1845"></a><br /> +with his possessions into Egypt, where the people were<br /> +strange to him, and friends unknown. Many haughty<br /> +men spoke of the beauty of his wife in their remarks,<br /> +men distinguished by their wealth: to many high-spirited<span class="linenum">1850</span><a name="Line_1850" id="Line_1850"></a><br /> +men, vassals of the king, his wife seemed noble in counte-<br /> +nance. They brought the news to their liege-lord, and<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a><br /> +few women did they repute fairer before the king, but<br /> +they lauded exceedingly Sarra's countenance for its<span class="linenum">1855</span><a name="Line_1855" id="Line_1855"></a><br /> +great beauty, until he bade them bring the lovely woman<br /> +to his own hall. The ruler of the people and chief of<br /> +the nobles bade them enrich Abraham with treasures.<br /> +But the Lord God became aggrieved and incensed against<span class="linenum">1860</span><a name="Line_1860" id="Line_1860"></a><br /> +Farao for his love of the woman: the joy of his house-<br /> +hold<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> bore this wrath hardly with his intimates. How-<br /> +ever, the ruler of the people perceived what the Lord<br /> +was sending upon him for punishment: urged on by<span class="linenum">1865</span><a name="Line_1865" id="Line_1865"></a><br /> +fear, the king of Egipt called Abraham to him and gave<br /> +him his bride, [returned] his wife into his keeping, bade<br /> +him seek friends elsewhere, noblemen of another race.<br /> +Then the ruler of the country ordered his vassals and<span class="linenum">1870</span><a name="Line_1870" id="Line_1870"></a><br /> +ministers to escort him out of their land again, honor-<br /> +ably, uninjured in any respect, so that he might be in<br /> +peace.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then Abraham took [all his] possessions out of the<br /> +country of Egypt: these worthy heroes took their wives,<span class="linenum">1875</span><a name="Line_1875" id="Line_1875"></a><br /> +both brides and rings, while they brought their flocks<br /> +to Bethlem, a familiar dwelling-place, [brought] their<br /> +womenfolk and treasures and their worldly goods.<span class="linenum">1880</span><a name="Line_1880" id="Line_1880"></a><br /> +Then they began to build there, and to erect their city<br /> +and settle their homes, and renew their prosperity.<br /> +The men built an altar in the meadows near the one that<br /> +Abraham had formerly reared to his Lord, when he<br /> +came to this western land: there the fortunate man<span class="linenum">1885</span><a name="Line_1885" id="Line_1885"></a><br /><span class="pagenum">Page 172</span><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172"></a> +exalted the Name of the Eternal Lord once more; the<br /> +high-minded ruler offered sacrifice to the King of the<br /> +Angels, thanked exceedingly the Source of Light and<br /> +Life for his happiness and honor.<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XXIII. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Abraham and Loth lived in these dwellings and had<span class="linenum">1890</span><a name="Line_1890" id="Line_1890"></a><br /> +abundance of prosperity, ruled over their heritage, until<br /> +they could not enjoy plenty together any longer in that<br /> +land and keep the possessions of both there, but the<br /> +worthy warriors had to seek broader seats elsewhere.<span class="linenum">1895</span><a name="Line_1895" id="Line_1895"></a><br /> +There were often dissensions among the followers of the<br /> +steadfast heroes, quarrels among the herdsmen. Then<br /> +the blessed Abraham, mindful of their honor, began to<br /> +speak fairly to Loth:<span class="linenum">1900</span><a name="Line_1900" id="Line_1900"></a><br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"I am thy father's born brother, thou art my nephew;<br /> +quarrels shall not wax great between us, nor anger<br /> +grow: may God forbid that! But we are blood-re-<br /> +lations: between us shall nothing be except, most fit-<span class="linenum">1905</span><a name="Line_1905" id="Line_1905"></a><br /> +tingly, long-enduring love. Now bethink thee, Loth,<br /> +that about our borders dwell mighty men, powerful<br /> +peoples with lords and vassals, the Cananite and Feretite<br /> +nations, with energetic warriors: their landed property<span class="linenum">1910</span><a name="Line_1910" id="Line_1910"></a><br /> +will not make any more room for us. Therefore shall<br /> +we remove our differences from this place and seek<br /> +broader dwelling-places for ourselves: I speak what is<br /> +best for us both, son of Aron, a true saying. I leave<span class="linenum">1915</span><a name="Line_1915" id="Line_1915"></a><br /> +the choice to thee, dear friend. Ponder with thyself<br /> +and consider in thy heart in which direction thou wilt<br /> +take thy departure, go forth with thy herds: now I have<br /> +yielded thee the choice!"<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then Loth left him to seek land by the Iordan, fertile<span class="linenum">1920</span><a name="Line_1920" id="Line_1920"></a><br /> +country: it was refreshed with waters and enriched with<br /> +fruits, bright with rivers, and like to the earthly par-<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 173</span><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173"></a> +adise of God, until God the Saviour because of men's<span class="linenum">1925</span><a name="Line_1925" id="Line_1925"></a><br /> +sins gave Sodoma and Gomorra to destruction, to the<br /> +dark flames. So the son of Aron chose his dwelling-<br /> +place there, a settlement in the city of Sodoma, and<br /> +brought<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> thither all his possessions, rings and private<span class="linenum">1930</span><a name="Line_1930" id="Line_1930"></a><br /> +property from Bethlem, goods, and wrought gold. For<br /> +many years thereafter he dwelt by the Iordan: fair<br /> +dwelling-places were there, but vicious men also, hateful<br /> +to the Lord. The people of Sodoma were bold in sin,<span class="linenum">1935</span><a name="Line_1935" id="Line_1935"></a><br /> +shameful in their deeds: they brought upon themselves<br /> +eternal woe. Loth would never adopt the customs of<br /> +the country, but he always eschewed the habits of this<br /> +people, [their] evil and sin, even though he had to live<span class="linenum">1940</span><a name="Line_1940" id="Line_1940"></a><br /> +in their land, and kept himself pure, virtuous, and pa-<br /> +tient, even in this nation, just as if—mindful of [his<br /> +Lord's] teaching—he did not know what these people<br /> +were doing.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Abraham dwelt by the habitations of the Cananites:<span class="linenum">1945</span><a name="Line_1945" id="Line_1945"></a><br /> +the King of the Angels, Lord of mankind, held him under<br /> +his protection, with abundance of good things and<br /> +worldly treasures, love and joy; therefore the races of<span class="linenum">1950</span><a name="Line_1950" id="Line_1950"></a><br /> +men, children of baptism, sing his praise widely under<br /> +the clouds. Pious and prudent, he freely obeyed the<br /> +Lord in his land as long as he enjoyed the heritage:<br /> +never need a defenceless human being ever become in<br /> +any way a terrified and fearful man before the Lord,<span class="linenum">1955</span><a name="Line_1955" id="Line_1955"></a><br /> +if he will always, until his departure from life, thank<br /> +Him heedfully in speech and in heart, by word and deed,<br /> +with wise mind after every favor.<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a><br /> +</p> +<h3> + XXIV. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then I found that the king of the Elamites, Orlahomar,<span class="linenum">1960</span><a name="Line_1960" id="Line_1960"></a><br /> +a pious leader, made an expedition: in aid of him Am-<br /> +brafel set forth from Sennar with a great multitude.<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 174</span><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174"></a> +Four kings then set out with mighty power to seek<span class="linenum">1965</span><a name="Line_1965" id="Line_1965"></a><br /> +Sodoma and Gomorra, southward from there. Then was<br /> +the country of the men by Iordan widely besieged by<br /> +warriors, the land [was surrounded] by foes. Many<br /> +a terrified pale-cheeked maiden would have to go trem-<span class="linenum">1970</span><a name="Line_1970" id="Line_1970"></a><br /> +bling to the embrace of a stranger: the defenders of<br /> +the brides and rings would fall, weak with wounds.<br /> +Against them with warlike zeal five kings came forth<span class="linenum">1975</span><a name="Line_1975" id="Line_1975"></a><br /> +from the south, with their armies, who wished to rid<br /> +the city of Sodoma of its foes: for twelve winters before<br /> +of necessity they had had to yield tribute and pay<br /> +indemnity to the men of the north, until the people<br /> +no longer would enrich the king of the Elamites with<span class="linenum">1980</span><a name="Line_1980" id="Line_1980"></a><br /> +their own treasures, but revolted from him.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +In rage the slaughter-hordes came together: the jav-<br /> +elins were loud; the dark fowl sang among the flying<br /> +weapons, the dewy-feathered [raven] looked for the slain.<span class="linenum">1985</span><a name="Line_1985" id="Line_1985"></a><br /> +The warriors rushed on in cohorts with unfaltering cour-<br /> +age, until the nations' armies had come together widely,<br /> +from south and north, protected by their helmets. There<br /> +was bitter struggle, exchanges of deadly spears, great<span class="linenum">1990</span><a name="Line_1990" id="Line_1990"></a><br /> +tumult of war, loud din of conflict. The heroes drew<br /> +from the sheath with their hands the ring-mailed sword,<br /> +keen of edge. Then was booty easy to find for the<br /> +chieftain who before this was not readily sated with<span class="linenum">1995</span><a name="Line_1995" id="Line_1995"></a><br /> +battle! The northern men were fatal to the southern<br /> +men: the men of Sodoma and Gomorra, dispensers of<br /> +gold, were bereft of their dear allies at the shield-clash-<br /> +ing. They went forth from their homesteads to save<span class="linenum">2000</span><a name="Line_2000" id="Line_2000"></a><br /> +themselves by flight; behind them the youths of the race<br /> +fell, slain by the sword, [and] their allies [were] cleft with<br /> +the edge. The leader of the army of the Elamites had<span class="linenum">2005</span><a name="Line_2005" id="Line_2005"></a><br /> +victory in battle, was master of the battlefield. The<br /> +survivors of the weapons fled to seek fastnesses. The<br /> +enemy seized upon gold, robbed with devastation the<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 175</span><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175"></a> +treasure-cities of the people, Sodoma and Gomorra. Then<br /> +misery requited the great strongholds; the maidens,<span class="linenum">2010</span><a name="Line_2010" id="Line_2010"></a><br /> +wives, and widows, deprived of friends, departed from<br /> +their homesteads. The enemy led out with them from<br /> +the city of Sodoma, with their spoils, the kinsman of<br /> +Abraham.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +We may now relate this true history further, as to<br /> +what was the fate of the war-wolves after the battle,<span class="linenum">2015</span><a name="Line_2015" id="Line_2015"></a><br /> +who carried off Loth and the goods of the people, the<br /> +treasures of the southlanders, [and] exulted in victory.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +A warrior, a survivor of the sword who was spared<br /> +in battle, escaped from them suddenly, to seek Abraham:<span class="linenum">2020</span><a name="Line_2020" id="Line_2020"></a><br /> +he reported to the Ebrew chieftain the outcome of the<br /> +fray,—the people of Sodoma sorely stricken, the nation's<br /> +wealth, and Loth's situation. Thereupon Abraham re-<br /> +ported the evil tidings to his friends; the steadfast hero<span class="linenum">2025</span><a name="Line_2025" id="Line_2025"></a><br /> +requested aid of his favorite companions, Aner, Mamre,<br /> +and thirdly Escol, saying that it would be gall to his<br /> +heart and bitterest grief if his nephew should have to<span class="linenum">2030</span><a name="Line_2030" id="Line_2030"></a><br /> +suffer slavery: bade the warriors famed in battle think of<br /> +some plan so that his dear kinsman might be freed, the<br /> +hero with his bride. In reply the three brothers, famed<br /> +in war, with great readiness assuaged his grief by their<span class="linenum">2035</span><a name="Line_2035" id="Line_2035"></a><br /> +hardy words, and pledged their troth to Abraham that<br /> +they would avenge his injury upon his foes, with him,<br /> +or else fall in battle.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the holy man bade his companions take their<span class="linenum">2040</span><a name="Line_2040" id="Line_2040"></a><br /> +weapons: he found there 318 spear-bearing warriors,<br /> +loyal to their ruler, of whom he knew that every one<br /> +could well support the tawny linden-shield in an onset.<span class="linenum">2045</span><a name="Line_2045" id="Line_2045"></a><br /> +So Abraham set out with the three chieftains who had<br /> +just pledged their troth to him, and the band of their<br /> +followers. He wished to rescue his kinsman at least,<br /> +Loth, from suffering.<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> These warriors were famous:<br /> +they bore their shields forth boldly on the march. The<span class="linenum">2050</span><a name="Line_2050" id="Line_2050"></a><br /><span class="pagenum">Page 176</span><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176"></a> +war-wolves, [meanwhile], had nearly reached their<br /> +camping-place: then the prudent man, the son of Thare,<br /> +spoke to his war-leaders in these words, (great was his<br /> +need!), that they<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> should advance on the enemy in two<span class="linenum">2055</span><a name="Line_2055" id="Line_2055"></a><br /> +divisions with grim conflict and hard swordplay: said,<br /> +[further], that the Holy Lord Everlasting might easily<br /> +give him success in the spear-fight.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then I heard how under the cover of night the heroes<span class="linenum">2060</span><a name="Line_2060" id="Line_2060"></a><br /> +ventured on into battle: the din of shields and shafts<br /> +arose in their sleeping-quarters, the slaughter of archers<br /> +and impact of battle-arrows; sharp swords smote hate-<br /> +fully under the breast of men, and the bodies of foes<span class="linenum">2065</span><a name="Line_2065" id="Line_2065"></a><br /> +fell thickly, where the exulting heroes and comrades<br /> +were bringing together the spoil. Victory, men's glory<br /> +in war, turned aside again from the battle of the north-<br /> +men. Abraham gave armed conflict and not in any<span class="linenum">2070</span><a name="Line_2070" id="Line_2070"></a><br /> +wise wrought gold, as ransom for his nephew; he slew<br /> +and felled the enemy in fair fight: to aid him, the Guard-<br /> +ian of the heavenly kingdom took [a part in the fray].<br /> +The four armies were put to flight, [with] the kings and<br /> +leaders of the people: behind them pressed the joyful<span class="linenum">2075</span><a name="Line_2075" id="Line_2075"></a><br /> +band and [there] the heroes were slain; the others were<br /> +given over to flight,—those who had stolen the gold of<br /> +Sodom and Gomorra, and robbed the stewards: fiercely did<span class="linenum">2080</span><a name="Line_2080" id="Line_2080"></a><br /> +the uncle of Loth requite them for it. The noble leaders<br /> +of the Elamites were fleeing, bereft of power, until they<br /> +were not far from Domascus. Then Abraham set out on<span class="linenum">2085</span><a name="Line_2085" id="Line_2085"></a><br /> +the war-track to see the retreat of the wicked men. Lot<br /> +was freed, the chieftain with his possessions, [while] the<br /> +women [and] wives were restored to joy. Far and wide<br /> +they saw the birds of prey rending the murderers of free-<br /> +men in sword-slaughter. Abraham brought back again<span class="linenum">2090</span><a name="Line_2090" id="Line_2090"></a><br /> +the treasure and brides of the southlanders, the children<br /> +of the nobles nearer their homes, the maidens to their<br /> +families. Of all men living here [on earth], no one ever<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 177</span><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177"></a> +achieved a more worthy military expedition with a<span class="linenum">2095</span><a name="Line_2095" id="Line_2095"></a><br /> +small force which was attacking so great a multitude.<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XXV. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the people of Sodoma was southward from<br /> +there, to bear the news as to what rout of their fierce<br /> +foes had occurred. Forthwith the king of the people,<br /> +bereft of his nobles and stripped of friends, went out to<br /> +meet Abraham; he brought with him the master of the<span class="linenum">2100</span><a name="Line_2100" id="Line_2100"></a><br /> +treasure of Solomia: that was the great Melchisedec,<br /> +bishop of the people. He came with gifts to greet fairly<br /> +the prince of the warriors, [to approach] Abraham honor-<span class="linenum">2105</span><a name="Line_2105" id="Line_2105"></a><br /> +ably, and he pronounced upon him the blessing of God<br /> +and spoke thus:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Highly wert thou exalted among the number of heroes<br /> +before the eyes of Him who gave thee the glory of the ash-<br /> +spear in battle: that is God himself, who mightily de-<br /> +stroyed the forces of the hostile armies and let thee with<span class="linenum">2110</span><a name="Line_2110" id="Line_2110"></a><br /> +thy weapons hew out bloody paths broadly [through the<br /> +foe], regain the booty, and fell the warriors. They were<br /> +encamped by the way: nor could the withdrawing army<br /> +prevail in hand-to-hand conflict, but God put it to flight,<span class="linenum">2115</span><a name="Line_2115" id="Line_2115"></a><br /> +who with His own hands preserved thee with thy warriors<br /> +in the fight, against the terror of superior numbers, and<br /> +[so likewise] the sacred pledge [preserved thee] which thou<br /> +rightfully holdest with the Keeper of the skies."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +With his own hand the hero gave him a return for this<span class="linenum">2120</span><a name="Line_2120" id="Line_2120"></a><br /> +blessing, and Abraham bestowed upon the bishop of God<br /> +the value of every tenth part of the army's booty. Then<br /> +spoke the war-king, ruler of Sodoma, bereft of his people,<br /> +to Abraham, (to him mercy was needful):<span class="linenum">2125</span><a name="Line_2125" id="Line_2125"></a><br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Give me back the maidens of my people, whom thou<br /> +by the might of thy army hast snatched from the deadly<br /> +bonds of the foe. Keep thou the wrought gold which<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 178</span><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178"></a> +formerly was the property of our people, [keep] the<span class="linenum">2130</span><a name="Line_2130" id="Line_2130"></a><br /> +herds and the treasure. Only let me lead back again<br /> +in freedom, to their hearths and desolated homes, the<br /> +children of the people, the wives and boys and wretched<br /> +widows. The young men, my companions, who should have<span class="linenum">2135</span><a name="Line_2135" id="Line_2135"></a><br /> +held the borders with me, are dead, [all] but a very few."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then Abraham answered him straightway, in the pres-<br /> +ence of the chieftains exalted in valor, power, and vic-<br /> +tory, and nobly said:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Ruler of the people, I pledge to thee this my word,<span class="linenum">2140</span><a name="Line_2140" id="Line_2140"></a><br /> +before the Holy One who is sole Master of heaven and<br /> +this earth: there is no worldly treasure that I will take<br /> +for my own, neither riches nor money of thine which I<br /> +have rescued from the [hostile] bowmen, O great king,<br /> +protector of thy nobles, lest thou oft hereafter say that<span class="linenum">2145</span><a name="Line_2145" id="Line_2145"></a><br /> +I became rich on earth through the treasure and former<br /> +wealth of the kingdom of Sodom;<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> but thou shalt<br /> +take hence the booty which I regained for thee in battle,<span class="linenum">2150</span><a name="Line_2150" id="Line_2150"></a><br /> +all except the shares of these noble warriors, Aner, and<br /> +Mamre, and Escol. I am unwilling to deprive these<br /> +warriors of their rights: for they stood by me in the<br /> +combat, and fought in your behalf. Go now and take<br /> +home the wrought gold and the beloved maidens, the<span class="linenum">2155</span><a name="Line_2155" id="Line_2155"></a><br /> +womenfolk of thy people. Thou needst not fear for<br /> +a while the attack of the hostile warriors, the battle<br /> +of the northmen, for the birds of prey sit all smeared<br /> +with blood, among the fastnesses of the mountains, well<span class="linenum">2160</span><a name="Line_2160" id="Line_2160"></a><br /> +gorged with the slaughter of the armies."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +So the king set out on his return home with the spoils<br /> +which the pious lord of the Hebrews, regardful of honor,<br /> +gave up to him.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then again to Abraham the High-King of Heaven<span class="linenum">2165</span><a name="Line_2165" id="Line_2165"></a><br /> +showed himself, with holy speech comforted the wise-<br /> +hearted man, and spoke to him thus:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Great are thy rewards. Let not now thy heart<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 179</span><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179"></a> +grow idle, thou steadfast [doer] of my will. Nor needst<br /> +thou fear anyone, while thou heedest my commandment,<br /> +for with my own hands will I shelter and shield thee<span class="linenum">2170</span><a name="Line_2170" id="Line_2170"></a><br /> +during thy life-time here against every woe: thou<br /> +needst not be fearful."<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XXVI. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then Abraham, famed for his deeds, answered his<br /> +Lord and asked Him, in the fullness of his days:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"O Ruler of spirits, what dost thou give me for free-<span class="linenum">2175</span><a name="Line_2175" id="Line_2175"></a><br /> +men's solace, now that I am thus solitary? I have no<br /> +need to found an ancestral seat for any sons of mine, but<br /> +after me shall my distant kinsmen dispose of my goods;<br /> +thou hast not given me a son, and therefore sorrows<br /> +weigh upon me very heavily in my heart; I myself can<span class="linenum">2180</span><a name="Line_2180" id="Line_2180"></a><br /> +not devise any counsel. My steward goes rejoicing in<br /> +his sons, and is firmly persuaded in his thoughts that<br /> +after me his sons shall be the keepers of the heritage:<br /> +they see that no children are born to me of my bride."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +To him then at once God answered:<span class="linenum">2185</span><a name="Line_2185" id="Line_2185"></a><br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Never shall thy steward possess the heritage of thy<br /> +sons: but thine own children shall hold the treasure,<br /> +when thy flesh lies [in the grave]. Behold the sky. Count<br /> +those jewels, the stars of heaven, which now freely scatter<span class="linenum">2190</span><a name="Line_2190" id="Line_2190"></a><br /> +their glorious radiance far and wide to shine brilliantly<br /> +over the broad surface of the sea. Such shall be the<br /> +multitude of thy descendants, rich in progeny. Let not<br /> +thy heart be bound by sorrow. A son shall yet be born<span class="linenum">2195</span><a name="Line_2195" id="Line_2195"></a><br /> +to thee, a child born of thy wife by ordinary birth, who<br /> +after thee shall be the keeper of the inheritance, rich in<br /> +property. Grieve no more: I am the Lord, who many<br /> +winters ago led thee out of the stronghold of Caldea<span class="linenum">2200</span><a name="Line_2200" id="Line_2200"></a><br /> +with but few followers, and promised thee a broad<br /> +dwelling-place for thy possession: I give thee now my<br /> +pledge, man of the Hebrews, that many a broad land<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 180</span><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180"></a> +on this earth shall be peopled with thy progeny, regions<span class="linenum">2205</span><a name="Line_2205" id="Line_2205"></a><br /> +of the world as far as Eufrates even from the borders<br /> +of Egypt, as many men and as wide a kingdom as the<br /> +Nile cuts off and the sea bounds: all this shall thy sons<span class="linenum">2210</span><a name="Line_2210" id="Line_2210"></a><br /> +own, each of the countries, as these three waters sur-<br /> +round with their streams the lofty cities of stone, the<br /> +foamy floods [surround] the refuge of the people."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then Sarra was grieved at heart that no son had come<span class="linenum">2215</span><a name="Line_2215" id="Line_2215"></a><br /> +to Abraham through their wedlock, a free-born heir for<br /> +their solace; so the sorrowful one began to speak to her<br /> +husband in these words:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"The Ruler of heaven has denied me this, that I<span class="linenum">2220</span><a name="Line_2220" id="Line_2220"></a><br /> +might augment the number of thy family under the<br /> +skies with sons of thine own. Now I am hopeless that<br /> +an heir will ever be given us together: I am too old, in<br /> +my misery. My lord, do as I bid thee. Here is a<span class="linenum">2225</span><a name="Line_2225" id="Line_2225"></a><br /> +woman, a fair damsel, an Egiptian maid in our possession:<br /> +bid her now repair to thy bed forthwith, and see if<br /> +the Lord will allow any heir for thy goods to come into<span class="linenum">2230</span><a name="Line_2230" id="Line_2230"></a><br /> +the world through this woman!"<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the holy man yielded to the advice of his wife,<br /> +and bade the handmaiden go to his couch as a bride.<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a><span class="linenum">2235</span><a name="Line_2235" id="Line_2235"></a><br /> +Her spirit exalted itself, when she had become pregnant<br /> +with a man-child by Abraham; stiff-necked in scorn she<br /> +began to despise her mistress, showed insolence, was<br /> +overweening, and was unwilling to endure servitude but<span class="linenum">2240</span><a name="Line_2240" id="Line_2240"></a><br /> +boldly began to resist Sarra strongly.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then I heard how the wife spoke to her husband in the<br /> +sorrow of her heart, with these words; sad in mind she<br /> +spoke, and said bitterly:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Thou dost not deal properly and rightfully with me.<span class="linenum">2245</span><a name="Line_2245" id="Line_2245"></a><br /> +Thou hast hitherto allowed it to happen that my hand-<br /> +maiden afflict me every day by deed and word, ever<br /> +since Agar entered thy bed in place of thy wife, as was<br /> +my entreaty: she shall pay for this mercilessly, if I<span class="linenum">2250</span><a name="Line_2250" id="Line_2250"></a><br /><span class="pagenum">Page 181</span><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181"></a> +may still control mine own before thee, dear Abraham;<br /> +of this may the Almighty Lord of Lords be judge<br /> +between us two!"<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +The wise-minded man then answered her at once in<span class="linenum">2255</span><a name="Line_2255" id="Line_2255"></a><br /> +these words:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Never shall I leave thee without honor, while we<br /> +both live; but thou must manage thine own maid as<br /> +pleases thy heart!"<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XXVII. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then Abraham's queen became unkind, wrathful in<span class="linenum">2260</span><a name="Line_2260" id="Line_2260"></a><br /> +heart towards her serving-maid, hard and cruel, spoke<br /> +bitter insults to the woman. Thereupon the latter fled<br /> +from threat and thraldom: she would not endure evil<br /> +and retribution for what she had formerly done to Sarra,<span class="linenum">2265</span><a name="Line_2265" id="Line_2265"></a><br /> +but went forth on a journey to go into the wilderness.<br /> +There a servant of glory, an angel of the Lord, found her<br /> +sorrowing; he eagerly asked her:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Whither do you intend to push your journey, my<span class="linenum">2270</span><a name="Line_2270" id="Line_2270"></a><br /> +poor woman? Sarre owns thy service!"<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +She answered him at once:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Deprived of every pleasure, jeered out of the house<br /> +by the hatred of my mistress, I have fled from woes,<br /> +afflictions, and injuries. Now with tear-stained cheek<br /> +must I await my fate<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> in the wilderness, [the time]<span class="linenum">2275</span><a name="Line_2275" id="Line_2275"></a><br /> +when hunger or a wolf removes life and sorrow together<br /> +from my heart."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the angel answered her:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Seek not thou in flight far hence to avoid thy con-<span class="linenum">2280</span><a name="Line_2280" id="Line_2280"></a><br /> +cubinage, but return again, earn honor for thyself, begin<br /> +submissively to cultivate dutifulness, become dear to<br /> +thy master. Thou shalt, Agar, bring a son into the world<br /> +to Abraham: with my word I tell thee now that this<span class="linenum">2285</span><a name="Line_2285" id="Line_2285"></a><br /> +man-child shall be called Ismahel, among men. He<br /> +shall be rough, warlike, hostile to the races of men and<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 182</span><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182"></a> +to his own kinsfolk: many a one shall struggle against<span class="linenum">2290</span><a name="Line_2290" id="Line_2290"></a><br /> +him in wrath, with assault of arms. From this prince<br /> +nations shall spring, numberless peoples. Depart now<br /> +to seek thy master again: live with those who own thee!"<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +In accordance with the angel's command, she at once<br /> +returned to her lord, as the holy spirit-messenger of God<span class="linenum">2295</span><a name="Line_2295" id="Line_2295"></a><br /> +bade her, in sapient speech. Thus was Ismael born to<br /> +Abraham, even when he had [lived] 86 winters in the<br /> +world. The son grew and flourished, as the angel, the<span class="linenum">2300</span><a name="Line_2300" id="Line_2300"></a><br /> +true minister of peace, had promised to the woman by<br /> +his own word.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +About thirteen years after that, the Lord and Ever-<br /> +lasting King spoke with Abraham:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Dear man, as I command thee, so do thou keep well<br /> +our covenant: I will to all time exalt thee in blessings.<span class="linenum">2305</span><a name="Line_2305" id="Line_2305"></a><br /> +Be thou zealously observant of my will in thy deeds:<br /> +I will still further confirm with truth the pledge which<br /> +I gave to thee as earnest of comfort, when thy spirit<br /> +grieved. Thou shalt hallow thy household: set a true<span class="linenum">2310</span><a name="Line_2310" id="Line_2310"></a><br /> +sign of victory on each one of the male sex, if thou wilt<br /> +have in me a Master or dear Friend of thy race. I shall<br /> +[always] be keeper and sustainer of this people, if thou<span class="linenum">2315</span><a name="Line_2315" id="Line_2315"></a><br /> +dost obey me in thy innermost thoughts and art willing<br /> +to fulfil my commands. In his infancy shall every<br /> +individual of the male sex in this race, about seven nights<br /> +after he comes into the world, be marked for me with<span class="linenum">2320</span><a name="Line_2320" id="Line_2320"></a><br /> +the sign of victory, or from the face of the earth be<br /> +driven far through my hostility, thrust out from his<br /> +possessions. Do as I bid: I will be true to you all, if<br /> +ye bear that sign with true faith. Thou shalt possess<span class="linenum">2325</span><a name="Line_2325" id="Line_2325"></a><br /> +a son, a child by thy wife, whom men shall all call Isaac.<br /> +Nor needst thou be ashamed of this son: but I will give<br /> +to this man-child my divine gifts, by the might of the<br /> +spirit, abundance of friends, with prosperity. He shall<span class="linenum">2330</span><a name="Line_2330" id="Line_2330"></a><br /> +receive my grace and blessing, love and favor. From<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 183</span><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183"></a> +this prince shall come broad nations, shall arise many<br /> +famous warriors, keepers of kingdoms, world-kings widely<span class="linenum">2335</span><a name="Line_2335" id="Line_2335"></a><br /> +renowned."<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XXVIII. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then Abraham in haste laid his cheek on the earth,<br /> +and with scorn turned over these words in his mind, the<br /> +thoughts of his heart: at that period of time he himself<span class="linenum">2340</span><a name="Line_2340" id="Line_2340"></a><br /> +did not believe that Sarra, his grey-haired bride, could<br /> +bring a son into the world to him; he knew well that his<br /> +wife had already numbered at least one hundred winters,<br /> +by actual reckoning. So then, wise in years, he spoke<span class="linenum">2345</span><a name="Line_2345" id="Line_2345"></a><br /> +thus to the Lord:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"May Ismael live according to Thy commandments,<br /> +Lord, and give thee thanks with wise and steady mind<br /> +and stout heart, doing Thy will day and night in word<span class="linenum">2350</span><a name="Line_2350" id="Line_2350"></a><br /> +and deed!"<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the Almighty King and Everlasting Lord an-<br /> +swered him fairly:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Though much worn in years, Sarra shall bring a son<br /> +into the world to thee; the future shall truly proceed in<span class="linenum">2355</span><a name="Line_2355" id="Line_2355"></a><br /> +accordance with these words here pronounced. I will now<br /> +bless with my grace Ismael, as thou art petitioner, for<br /> +thy first born, so that he may dwell many days in the<br /> +kingdom of this world with spreading progeny; be thou<span class="linenum">2360</span><a name="Line_2360" id="Line_2360"></a><br /> +sure of that! But Isaac thy son, the young child who<br /> +has not yet come into the world, I will distinguish ex-<br /> +ceedingly with abundance of joys and every kind of<br /> +riches, in his days, and certainly leave in his heart my<span class="linenum">2365</span><a name="Line_2365" id="Line_2365"></a><br /> +pledge and holy faith, and be kind to him."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Abraham did as the Eternal bade him, set the sign<br /> +of peace on his son, by the Lord's command, and bade<span class="linenum">2370</span><a name="Line_2370" id="Line_2370"></a><br /> +every one of his household of the male sex bear that<br /> +high sign,—wise in heart, and mindful of the pledge<br /> +which God had given him as assurance of good faith,—<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 184</span><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184"></a> +and then himself received the exalted sign. The Lord<span class="linenum">2375</span><a name="Line_2375" id="Line_2375"></a><br /> +and Just King continually advanced his glory in the<br /> +kingdom of this world, with blessings: He wrought this<br /> +for him as soon as he might first perform the will of his<br /> +Master in [every] expedition....<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a><br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the woman laughed at the Lord of Mankind not<span class="linenum">2380</span><a name="Line_2380" id="Line_2380"></a><br /> +at all mirthfully, but full of years she laid away this<br /> +promise in her mind with much scorn: she did not<br /> +believe it true that the fulfilment of this promise was to<br /> +follow. But when the Ruler of Heaven heard that the<span class="linenum">2385</span><a name="Line_2385" id="Line_2385"></a><br /> +wife of Abraham had given way to hopeless laughter,<br /> +in her bower, then the Holy God said:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Sarra will not believe in the truth of my word:<br /> +nevertheless this decree shall be fulfilled, as I promised<span class="linenum">2390</span><a name="Line_2390" id="Line_2390"></a><br /> +thee at first. I tell thee truth, at this very season a son<br /> +shall be born of thy wife: when I return to this same<br /> +dwelling another time, then shall my promise of increase<br /> +be fulfilled: thou shalt look upon a son, thine own child,<span class="linenum">2395</span><a name="Line_2395" id="Line_2395"></a><br /> +dear Abraham!"<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XXIX. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then at once, after this speech, they departed with<br /> +speed, eager to be gone; from the place of the confer-<br /> +ence, the holy spirits made their way (the power<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> of<span class="linenum">2400</span><a name="Line_2400" id="Line_2400"></a><br /> +light itself was in their midst!) until they could look<br /> +upon Sodom, the lofty city: they saw palaces tower up<br /> +above treasures, halls above red gold. Then the right-<br /> +eous Ruler of the skies began to speak with Abraham,<span class="linenum">2405</span><a name="Line_2405" id="Line_2405"></a><br /> +gave him no little information.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"In this city I hear tumult, the din of sinners ex-<br /> +ceedingly loud, the vain-glory of those drunk with ale;<br /> +evil speech have the people, behind their walls: for the<span class="linenum">2410</span><a name="Line_2410" id="Line_2410"></a><br /> +sins of the race, of the treacherous apostates, are heavy.<br /> +I will now find out what the men are doing, O man of<br /> +the Hebrews, [to see] whether they [actually] commit<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 185</span><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185"></a> +sins so grossly in their habits and thoughts as they<br /> +perversely speak of crimes and vices: sulphur and black<span class="linenum">2415</span><a name="Line_2415" id="Line_2415"></a><br /> +flame, sorely and grimly, hotly and vehemently, shall<br /> +avenge this on the heathenish people."<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XXX. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +The men with their wives were approaching their<br /> +punishment, sufferings within their walls: arrogant in<br /> +riches, they requited the Lord for their prosperity with<span class="linenum">2420</span><a name="Line_2420" id="Line_2420"></a><br /> +insult, until the Protector of spirits, the Source of Light<br /> +and Life, would tolerate their offence no longer: but to<br /> +them the steadfast King sent two strong messengers<br /> +of his, who arrived at eventide at the fortress of Sodoma,<span class="linenum">2425</span><a name="Line_2425" id="Line_2425"></a><br /> +in their traveling. At the city-gate they found the<br /> +warrior, the son of Aron, sitting by himself, so that they<br /> +appeared before the eyes of the wise man as young men.<br /> +Then the servant of the Lord arose before the spirits,<span class="linenum">2430</span><a name="Line_2430" id="Line_2430"></a><br /> +went forward to greet the strangers civilly, thought their<br /> +demeanor very proper and agreeable, and invited the<br /> +men to be his guests for the night. The noble messengers<br /> +of our Preserver answered him thus:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"For the courtesy which you have extended to us,<span class="linenum">2435</span><a name="Line_2435" id="Line_2435"></a><br /> +accept our thanks. In this street we expect quietly<br /> +to wait for the time when the Lord shall let the sun<br /> +[go] forth again for the morning."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then humbly Loth<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> bowed at the feet of the strangers<span class="linenum">2440</span><a name="Line_2440" id="Line_2440"></a><br /> +and eagerly offered them the repose and refreshments<br /> +and shelter and service of his dwelling. They accepted<br /> +thankfully the benevolence of the good man, and followed<br /> +him forthwith inside his walls, as the Hebrew chieftain<br /> +invited them. There in his hall the generous wise-<span class="linenum">2445</span><a name="Line_2445" id="Line_2445"></a><br /> +souled man gave them fair hospitality, until twilight<br /> +departed: then came night, after the close of day, and<br /> +veiled with darkness the lake-streams, seas, and broad<span class="linenum">2450</span><a name="Line_2450" id="Line_2450"></a><br /><span class="pagenum">Page 186</span><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186"></a> +land, and [all] the pomp of this life. Then the men of<br /> +Sodoma came, young and old, hateful to God, to demand<br /> +the strangers, with a great throng so that they surrounded<span class="linenum">2455</span><a name="Line_2455" id="Line_2455"></a><br /> +Loth and his guests by the multitude of their force;<br /> +they bade [him] lead out of the lofty hall the holy mess-<br /> +engers [and put] the men in their power; they said<br /> +openly in words that they would have intercourse with<br /> +the men shamefully, and had no regard for decency. Then<span class="linenum">2460</span><a name="Line_2460" id="Line_2460"></a><br /> +Loth, who often knew what was best, quickly arose in his<br /> +house, and went out at once; and the son of Aron, mindful<br /> +of his cunning, spoke thus over all the mass of people:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Here are within two spotless [maidens], my daughters:<span class="linenum">2465</span><a name="Line_2465" id="Line_2465"></a><br /> +neither of these damsels knows intercourse as yet through<br /> +sleeping with a man: do then as I bid you, and cease<br /> +from this sin. I give them both to you, before you<br /> +commit this vileness against nature, heinous evil against<span class="linenum">2470</span><a name="Line_2470" id="Line_2470"></a><br /> +the sons of men. Receive these maidens and let my<br /> +guests go free, since I will defend them against you as<br /> +well as I can, before God!"<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Thereupon the crowd, the shameless race, answered<span class="linenum">2475</span><a name="Line_2475" id="Line_2475"></a><br /> +him through common consent:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"It seems very right and fitting that thou shouldst<br /> +depart out of this neighborhood, thou who bereft of<br /> +friends and with the step of an exile soughtest this people<br /> +from afar, in thy need: wilt thou, if thou mayst, be our<span class="linenum">2480</span><a name="Line_2480" id="Line_2480"></a><br /> +ruler here, the teacher of the people?"<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then I heard of Loth how the heathen masses gripped<br /> +him with their hands, with hostile grasp: his guests<br /> +aided him well and the righteous strangers drew him<span class="linenum">2485</span><a name="Line_2485" id="Line_2485"></a><br /> +out of the clutches of the enemy back within the walls,<br /> +and then speedily closed fast the eyesight of every one<br /> +of the people of Sodoma standing around: the whole<span class="linenum">2490</span><a name="Line_2490" id="Line_2490"></a><br /> +crowd of citizens forthwith became blind; nor could<br /> +they, in their evil rage, break into the house after the<br /> +guests, as they intended, but the messengers of God<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 187</span><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187"></a> +were [too] active for them; the stranger had power, irre-<span class="linenum">2495</span><a name="Line_2495" id="Line_2495"></a><br /> +sistible vigor, and was very severe upon the people in<br /> +[inflicting] punishment. Then the dear ministers of<br /> +peace spoke fairly to Loth, in these words:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"If thou hast a son, or dear relative, or any friend<br /> +among these people besides these maidens whom we see<span class="linenum">2500</span><a name="Line_2500" id="Line_2500"></a><br /> +here, lead out of this city those who are dear to thee, with<br /> +great haste, and save thine own life, lest thou perish<br /> +with these law-breakers. For the Lord has commanded<br /> +us, because of the people's sins, to give over Sodoma and<span class="linenum">2505</span><a name="Line_2505" id="Line_2505"></a><br /> +Gomorra to black flame and fire, and to slay these people,<br /> +[striking] the race in their cities with deadly horrors,<br /> +and so wreak His wrath [upon them]. It has nearly<br /> +reached the appointed time. Set out on thy way, to<br /> +save thy life: the Lord is merciful to thee...."<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a><span class="linenum">2510</span><a name="Line_2510" id="Line_2510"></a><br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Loth then hastily answered them:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"I cannot, with these womenfolk, seek my safety<br /> +so far from here in a journey on foot. You manifest<br /> +to me kindness and fair friendship, you grant me grace<span class="linenum">2515</span><a name="Line_2515" id="Line_2515"></a><br /> +and good-will. I know a lofty town near here, a little<br /> +fortress: leave me there, in honor and peace, so that we<br /> +may seek safety above, in Sigor. If you will protect that<span class="linenum">2520</span><a name="Line_2520" id="Line_2520"></a><br /> +lofty fastness from the fire, we can abide in that place<br /> +unharmed, in safety, and so preserve our lives."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the righteous angels answered him benevol-<span class="linenum">2525</span><a name="Line_2525" id="Line_2525"></a><br /> +ently:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Thou shalt be successful in this petition, now thou<br /> +speakest about that city: withdraw immediately to that<br /> +fastness. We shall keep thee in peace and safety. We<br /> +must not wreak the wrath of God upon these law-<span class="linenum">2530</span><a name="Line_2530" id="Line_2530"></a><br /> +breakers and destroy the sinful race, before thou hast<br /> +led thy children and wife likewise into Sægor."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the kinsman of Abraham set out for the fastness:<br /> +the chieftain did not spare the pace for his womenfolk,<span class="linenum">2535</span><a name="Line_2535" id="Line_2535"></a><br /> +but he pushed his steps most hastily until he had brought<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 188</span><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188"></a> +his wife and children to the citadel of Sægor. When the<br /> +sun rose, [when] the peaceful luminary of the nations<br /> +went forth, then, I have heard, the Master of Glory sent<span class="linenum">2540</span><a name="Line_2540" id="Line_2540"></a><br /> +sulphur out of heaven, and swart flame for the punish-<br /> +ment of men, swelling fire, since they had offended the<br /> +Lord for a long period in former days: thus the Ruler of<br /> +spirits gave them retribution. Utmost terror seized upon<span class="linenum">2545</span><a name="Line_2545" id="Line_2545"></a><br /> +the heathen race: tumult arose in the city, the outcry<br /> +of the accursed race over shameful death, just beginning.<br /> +The flame seized upon all that it found green, in the rich<br /> +city, just as around outside no small portion of the broad<span class="linenum">2550</span><a name="Line_2550" id="Line_2550"></a><br /> +earth was filled with conflagration and terror: trees<br /> +and earth's harvests turned to ashes and embers, even<br /> +as far as the avenging curse direly extended over the<span class="linenum">2555</span><a name="Line_2555" id="Line_2555"></a><br /> +broad country of the people. The devastating fire<br /> +rushing on in tumult devoured all things together, far<br /> +and wide, that men had owned in the cities of Sodoma<br /> +and Gomorra: all this, together with the people, God<span class="linenum">2560</span><a name="Line_2560" id="Line_2560"></a><br /> +the Lord destroyed.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +When Loth's wife, his bride in the city, heard the din<br /> +of fire, the death of the people, then she looked back-<br /> +ward [to see] this devastation. The Scriptures tell us<br /> +that she immediately turned into the likeness of a pillar<br /> +of salt: ever since then this statue has stood there<span class="linenum">2565</span><a name="Line_2565" id="Line_2565"></a><br /> +motion less (this is a strange story), where she incurred<br /> +this severe penalty because she would not obey the<br /> +ministers of glory in their commands: now, stiff and<br /> +erect, she will have to await her doom in that place, at<span class="linenum">2570</span><a name="Line_2570" id="Line_2570"></a><br /> +the Lord's Judgment Day, when the world has com-<br /> +pleted its [allotted] number of years. This is one of<br /> +the miracles which the King of Glory has wrought.<br /> +</p> +<p><span class="pagenum">Page 189</span><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189"></a></p> +<h3> + XXXI. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then Abraham went forth alone, at dawn, so that he<span class="linenum">2575</span><a name="Line_2575" id="Line_2575"></a><br /> +again stood in the place where the pious leader had<br /> +formerly spoken with his Lord in words. He saw the<br /> +reek of death and destruction ascending widely from<br /> +the earth. Riches and feasting preoccupied [the people]<br /> +to such an extent that they had become bold in wicked<span class="linenum">2580</span><a name="Line_2580" id="Line_2580"></a><br /> +deeds, eager for sin: they forgot the Truth and God's<br /> +commandments, and who had given them prosperity<br /> +and wealth in their cities; therefore the King of the<br /> +Angels sent his fervid fire to punish them. Our faithful<span class="linenum">2585</span><a name="Line_2585" id="Line_2585"></a><br /> +Lord then remembered Abraham mercifully, the dear<br /> +man, as he often had done, and saved his kinsman, Loth,<br /> +when the multitude perished. The [latter] hero, famed<br /> +for his deeds, did not dare to tarry longer in the strong-<span class="linenum">2590</span><a name="Line_2590" id="Line_2590"></a><br /> +hold for fear of the Lord, but Loth departed from the<br /> +city with his children to seek a dwelling-place far from<br /> +the place of slaughter, until they found a cave in the<br /> +side of a high dune: there the pious Loth, dear to his<span class="linenum">2595</span><a name="Line_2595" id="Line_2595"></a><br /> +Lord, dwelt in righteousness for a great number of days,<br /> +with his two daughters....<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a><br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +They did thus with the drunken man: ... the elder<br /> +of the two went first to her father's bed. Nor did the<span class="linenum">2600</span><a name="Line_2600" id="Line_2600"></a><br /> +venerable man know when the two maidens ... were<br /> +with him in the manner of a bride, fast bound [as he<br /> +was] in heart, mind, and memory, drunken with wine,<span class="linenum">2605</span><a name="Line_2605" id="Line_2605"></a><br /> +so that he could not escape the enterprise of the maidens.<br /> +The young women became pregnant, and the devoted<br /> +sisters brought men-children into the world, sons to<br /> +their old father. One of these noble children was called<br /> +Moab by his mother, that daughter of Loth who was the<span class="linenum">2610</span><a name="Line_2610" id="Line_2610"></a><br /> +elder in years of life; the Scriptures tell us, the sacred<br /> +Books, that the younger called her son Ammon. From<br /> +these princes sprang numberless people, the glories of<span class="linenum">2615</span><a name="Line_2615" id="Line_2615"></a><br /> +two nations: one of these nations all earth-dwellers call<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 190</span><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190"></a> +Moabites, a widely famed race; the other, men and<br /> +sons of heroes call Ammonites.<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XXXII. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the brother of Aron set out with his wife to take<span class="linenum">2620</span><a name="Line_2620" id="Line_2620"></a><br /> +his possessions and his household to Abimelech. Abra-<br /> +ham told all men that Sarra was his sister, [and] thus<br /> +preserved his life by his words: he knew very well that<span class="linenum">2625</span><a name="Line_2625" id="Line_2625"></a><br /> +he had few relatives and friends among that people.<br /> +Then the king sent his ministers and bade them bring<br /> +to him [the wife of Abraham].<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a> Thus for the second<br /> +time in a foreign land, the wife of Abraham was taken<span class="linenum">2630</span><a name="Line_2630" id="Line_2630"></a><br /> +from her husband to the embrace of a stranger. Then<br /> +the eternal Lord assisted him, as he had often done:<br /> +our Preserver came himself by night to where the king<br /> +lay drunken with wine. Thereupon the Lord of Truth<span class="linenum">2635</span><a name="Line_2635" id="Line_2635"></a><br /> +began to speak to the king through a dream, and threat-<br /> +ened him in wrath:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Thou hast taken Abraham's wife, his bride from the<br /> +hero; for that deed death shall tear thy soul from thy<br /> +breast!"<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +To him thus the sinner, gorged with feasting, replied<span class="linenum">2640</span><a name="Line_2640" id="Line_2640"></a><br /> +in his sleep:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"What! Wilt Thou ever, High King of the Angels,<br /> +through thy wrath let him be deprived of life who lives<span class="linenum">2645</span><a name="Line_2645" id="Line_2645"></a><br /> +here in righteous habits, [who] in his counsel is upright<br /> +in mind, and who asks mercy of Thyself? In her own<br /> +words, unasked, this woman told me first that she was<span class="linenum">2650</span><a name="Line_2650" id="Line_2650"></a><br /> +Abraham's sister. I have not sinned against her, nor<br /> +wrought any evil at all, up to this time!"<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then again the Eternal Lord and True God spoke to<br /> +him straightway through that dream:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Give back this woman to Abraham, his wife, into<span class="linenum">2655</span><a name="Line_2655" id="Line_2655"></a><br /> +his possession, if thou wishest for life any longer in this<br /> +world, as protector of the nobles. He is good and wise,<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 191</span><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191"></a> +and may himself speak with [God] and see the King of<br /> +Glory. Thou shalt die, with thy flocks and thy sub-<br /> +stance, if thou deniest his wife to the warrior: if he will<span class="linenum">2660</span><a name="Line_2660" id="Line_2660"></a><br /> +at once honestly and patiently prefer to me thy earnest<br /> +wishes, he may obtain his request that I yet allow thee<br /> +living to enjoy pleasures and prosperity in thy days,<span class="linenum">2665</span><a name="Line_2665" id="Line_2665"></a><br /> +[allow thee] in sound health [to enjoy thy] riches."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the keeper of the people broke forth from sleep,<br /> +bade his councillors come to him; shaken with terror,<br /> +Abimeleh quickly told the nobles the word of the Master.<br /> +The men dreaded [as retribution] for this deed, blows<span class="linenum">2670</span><a name="Line_2670" id="Line_2670"></a><br /> +from the hand of the Lord in accordance with the dream.<br /> +The king himself bade them bring Abraham before him,<br /> +in great haste. Then the ruler of the kingdom spoke:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Man of the Ebrews! this wilt thou now tell me in<span class="linenum">2675</span><a name="Line_2675" id="Line_2675"></a><br /> +words: what have I done that, since thou broughtest<br /> +thy possessions into this country among us, Abraham,<br /> +thou hast thus bitterly contrived a plot against me?<br /> +Thou, a foreigner, wouldst deceive us in this country<span class="linenum">2680</span><a name="Line_2680" id="Line_2680"></a><br /> +with evil and pollute us with sin: thou saidest in plain<br /> +words that Sarra was thy sister, thy blood relation;<br /> +through that woman thou wouldst have foully put upon<br /> +me sin, measureless evil! We received thee honorably,<span class="linenum">2685</span><a name="Line_2685" id="Line_2685"></a><br /> +and in friendship gave thee a dwelling-place among this<br /> +people, land at thy pleasure: now thou makest return<br /> +and thankest us [most] ungratefully for our favors!"<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XXXIII. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +Abraham then answered:<span class="linenum">2690</span><a name="Line_2690" id="Line_2690"></a><br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"I did that, not for evil nor for hostility nor for any<br /> +woe that I might bring upon thee. But by this strat-<br /> +agem, O ruler of men, I protected myself against blows<br /> +of the fierce sword, far from my kinsfolk [as I was]<br /> +Since the Holy One<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> first led me from the family of<span class="linenum">2695</span><a name="Line_2695" id="Line_2695"></a><br /><span class="pagenum">Page 192</span><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192"></a> +the prince, my father, I have sought out many peoples,<br /> +strange allies, and this woman with me, destitute of<br /> +friends: I always kept this peril in mind, when some foe<span class="linenum">2700</span><a name="Line_2700" id="Line_2700"></a><br /> +should deprive me—a stranger—of my life, who wished<br /> +to have this woman for his own. Therefore I have told<br /> +warriors in plain words that Sarra was my sister, wher-<span class="linenum">2705</span><a name="Line_2705" id="Line_2705"></a><br /> +ever on this earth we have had to contend against<br /> +foreigners in our exile. I did the same thing in this<br /> +country, great king, after I chose thy protection: nor<br /> +was there any knowledge in my heart as to whether<span class="linenum">2710</span><a name="Line_2710" id="Line_2710"></a><br /> +the fear of God Almighty was in this race, when I first<br /> +came here; therefore I concealed from thy ministers and<br /> +from thyself as well as possible the true statement that<br /> +Sarra was wont to enter my bed with me as my wife."<span class="linenum">2715</span><a name="Line_2715" id="Line_2715"></a><br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then Abimæleh began to enrich Abraham with worldly<br /> +treasures and returned his wife to him: he gave him<br /> +to boot, when he received his wife, live stock and bright<br /> +silver and serving-folk. The protector of the nobles<span class="linenum">2720</span><a name="Line_2720" id="Line_2720"></a><br /> +spoke further to Abraham, in these words:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Dwell with us and choose thee a dwelling-place in<br /> +this land, a noble site where it is most to thy liking: I<br /> +must have thee; be a faithful friend to us; we will give<span class="linenum">2725</span><a name="Line_2725" id="Line_2725"></a><br /> +thee riches."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then quickly the dispenser of treasure spoke further<br /> +to Sarra, in other words:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Nor need Abraham, thy lord and master, set it in<br /> +reproach against thee that thou hast trodden the ways<br /> +of my dwelling, O woman goddess-fair: for I have richly<span class="linenum">2730</span><a name="Line_2730" id="Line_2730"></a><br /> +repaired thine offence with him, with white silver. Do<br /> +not trouble yourselves to seek riches and strange friends<br /> +away from this land, but dwell here."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Abraham did as his king bade him, and at the ruler's<span class="linenum">2735</span><a name="Line_2735" id="Line_2735"></a><br /> +behest accepted friendship, love, and peace. He was<br /> +dear to God: therefore he enjoyed tranquility happily<br /> +and proceeded under the shadow of his Creator, covered<span class="linenum">2740</span><a name="Line_2740" id="Line_2740"></a><br /><span class="pagenum">Page 193</span><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193"></a> +by His protecting wings, while he lived. But God<br /> +was still angry at Abimeleh for the sin which he had<br /> +committed against Sarra and Abraham, when he sepa-<br /> +rated these two loving ones, the wife and the husband.<span class="linenum">2745</span><a name="Line_2745" id="Line_2745"></a><br /> +He received a severe penalty for this deed: for neither<br /> +free nor slave women could reward<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> the men their<br /> +masters with children, for the Lord prevented it, until<br /> +the holy Abraham began to pray Eternal God for grace<span class="linenum">2750</span><a name="Line_2750" id="Line_2750"></a><br /> +in behalf of his king. The Protector of the Angels granted<br /> +him his prayer, and restored to the king the fertility<br /> +of the free and the enslaved, men and women; again<br /> +the Ruler of the skies allowed the number of their off-<span class="linenum">2755</span><a name="Line_2755" id="Line_2755"></a><br /> +spring to increase, their prosperity and possessions: the<br /> +Almighty Keeper of Mankind became mild in heart<br /> +towards Abimeleh, as Abraham entreated Him.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the Almighty Lord came to Sarra, as He Himself<span class="linenum">2760</span><a name="Line_2760" id="Line_2760"></a><br /> +promised: Our Master, the Ruler of Life, had fulfilled His<br /> +promise to the dear man and woman. A son was be-<br /> +gotten of Abraham upon his wife, whom the Prince of<br /> +the Angels named Isaac even before the mother was great<span class="linenum">2765</span><a name="Line_2765" id="Line_2765"></a><br /> +with child by the chieftain. Abraham with his own hand<br /> +set the sign upon him, as the Lord glorious in splendor<br /> +bade him, about a week from the time when his mother<span class="linenum">2770</span><a name="Line_2770" id="Line_2770"></a><br /> +brought him into the world to mankind.<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XXXIV. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +The boy grew and throve, inasmuch as noble [traits]<br /> +were native to him from his ancestors. Abraham had<br /> +[numbered] 100 years when, to his joy, his wife bore him<br /> +a son: he had waited for this for a long time, since the<span class="linenum">2775</span><a name="Line_2775" id="Line_2775"></a><br /> +Lord first through His own word foretold this day of<br /> +happiness. Now the matter so happened that his wife<br /> +once saw Ismael playing before Abraham where they<br /> +were both seated at a banquet, holy in heart, and all<span class="linenum">2780</span><a name="Line_2780" id="Line_2780"></a><br /><span class="pagenum">Page 194</span><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194"></a> +their household retainers were drinking and singing.<br /> +Then the noble woman spoke, as wife to husband:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Forgive me, my dear lord, keeper of the ring! But<br /> +bid Agar depart elsewhere, and take Ismael with her.<span class="linenum">2785</span><a name="Line_2785" id="Line_2785"></a><br /> +We should no longer be together, for my pleasure, if I<br /> +might have my way. Never shall Ismael share the<br /> +heritage with Isaac, my own son, after thee, when thou<br /> +yieldest up thy spirit from the body."<span class="linenum">2790</span><a name="Line_2790" id="Line_2790"></a><br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then was Abraham heavy at heart, because he must<br /> +drive away his own son into exile; then speedily the<br /> +True God came to his aid, for He knew that the heart<br /> +of the man was in dire straits. The King of the Angels,<span class="linenum">2795</span><a name="Line_2795" id="Line_2795"></a><br /> +the Eternal Lord, spoke to Abraham:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Let the sorrow and heart-felt grief slip from thy<br /> +breast, and obey the woman, thy wife. Bid both Agar<br /> +and Ismael to go away, [send] the boy from thy home.<span class="linenum">2800</span><a name="Line_2800" id="Line_2800"></a><br /> +I will make his race far-spreading and powerful in the<br /> +number of its sons, prosperous in blessings, as I promised<br /> +thee by my word."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the man obeyed his Master and drove from his<br /> +home the sad-minded pair, [drove] from his patrimony<span class="linenum">2805</span><a name="Line_2805" id="Line_2805"></a><br /> +the woman and his own son....<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a><br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Clear it is and manifest that the True God, the King<br /> +of Glory, is on thy side, since he gives thee the victory,<br /> +with wise power, and strengthens thy heart<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> with<span class="linenum">2810</span><a name="Line_2810" id="Line_2810"></a><br /> +divine gifts. Therefore thou hast succeeded hitherto<br /> +in whatsoever thou hast begun to perform against<br /> +friend or foe, in word or deed. The Lord our Master<br /> +thrusteth forward thy desires with His own hands:<br /> +that is widely known among men. I pray thee now,<span class="linenum">2815</span><a name="Line_2815" id="Line_2815"></a><br /> +chief of the Ebrews, by my words, to give me a faithful<br /> +assurance of thy pledge that thou wilt be a true friend<br /> +to me, in return for the good things which I have given<span class="linenum">2820</span><a name="Line_2820" id="Line_2820"></a><br /> +for thy glory, since thou camest solitary from afar into<br /> +this country with the tread of an exile. Requite me<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 195</span><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195"></a> +now with thy favor, so that I may not be sparing of land<br /> +and pleasure to thee. Be propitious now to this people<span class="linenum">2825</span><a name="Line_2825" id="Line_2825"></a><br /> +and city of mine, if Our Almighty Lord who holdeth the<br /> +fates will grant that thou mayst further distribute riches<br /> +and pleasing treasures, and set up thy landmarks, among<span class="linenum">2830</span><a name="Line_2830" id="Line_2830"></a><br /> +the warriors in this country."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then Abraham gave pledges to Abimeleh that he would<br /> +[do] thus.<br /> +</p> +<h3> + XXXV. +</h3> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<p class="nowrap"> +After this the holy son of Thare, chief of the Ebrews,<br /> +was a dweller in the Filistine nation for a long time,<span class="linenum">2835</span><a name="Line_2835" id="Line_2835"></a><br /> +alone amid strangers. The Lord of the Angels showed<br /> +him a dwelling-place which the men dwelling in the city<br /> +called the land of Bersaba. There the pious man built<br /> +a high hall, constructed a place of shelter and planted<span class="linenum">2840</span><a name="Line_2840" id="Line_2840"></a><br /> +a grove, erected an altar and on the sacrificial stone<br /> +made an offering, an oblation, at once, to his Master<br /> +who had given him a prosperous life under the sky.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then the powerful King began to try this hero,<span class="linenum">2845</span><a name="Line_2845" id="Line_2845"></a><br /> +tested stringently what the noble one's fortitude was,<br /> +and spoke to him in stern words with his voice:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Go forth now speedily, Abraham, hasten thy steps,<span class="linenum">2850</span><a name="Line_2850" id="Line_2850"></a><br /> +and take with thee thine own child. Thou shalt thyself<br /> +offer up Isaac to me, thy son as a sacrifice. After thou<br /> +ascendest on foot the steep dune, the bordering circle of<br /> +that high land which I shall show thee from here, there<span class="linenum">2855</span><a name="Line_2855" id="Line_2855"></a><br /> +thou shalt prepare a funeral pyre, the death-pile of thy<br /> +son, and then thyself sacrifice thy son with the edge<br /> +of the sword and then burn his dear body with black<br /> +flame, and thus make offering to me."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +He did not decline the expedition, but straightway<br /> +began to hasten the procedure: the word of the King<span class="linenum">2860</span><a name="Line_2860" id="Line_2860"></a><br /> +of Angels was sacred to him, and his Master was beloved.<br /> +Then the pious Abraham forsook his nightly repose,<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 196</span><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196"></a> +with no resistance at all to the command of the Saviour,<br /> +but the holy man girded himself with his grey sword<span class="linenum">2865</span><a name="Line_2865" id="Line_2865"></a><br /> +and declared that the fear of the Keeper of Spirits<br /> +dwelt in his breast. Worn with age, the dispenser of<br /> +gold began to harness his asses, and bade two young men<br /> +go with him: his own son was the third and he himself<br /> +the fourth. Without delay he then set out to lead Isaac<span class="linenum">2870</span><a name="Line_2870" id="Line_2870"></a><br /> +from his own home, the ungrown child, as the Lord<br /> +bade him; hastened exceedingly and hurried forth on<br /> +the way, as the Lord showed him the paths over the<br /> +wastes, until the glorious beginning of the third day<span class="linenum">2875</span><a name="Line_2875" id="Line_2875"></a><br /> +arose across deep water. There the worthy man saw<br /> +a high dune rise, as the King of Glory had foretold to<br /> +him. So Abraham spoke to his servants:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"My men! Remain ye here in this place. We shall<span class="linenum">2880</span><a name="Line_2880" id="Line_2880"></a><br /> +return, after we have offered to the King of Spirits what<br /> +was entrusted to us both."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +The noble man then departed with his own son toward<span class="linenum">2885</span><a name="Line_2885" id="Line_2885"></a><br /> +the designated spot which the Lord showed him, striding<br /> +through the forest; the son bore the wood, the father<br /> +fire and sword. Then the man young in years began<br /> +to ask Abraham about the affair, in these words:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"We have here fire and sword, my lord: where is the<span class="linenum">2890</span><a name="Line_2890" id="Line_2890"></a><br /> +noble victim that you expect to bring as a burnt-offering<br /> +to God?"<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Abraham replied (he had once for all decided that he<br /> +would do as the Lord directed him):<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"That the True King, Guardian of mankind, will<span class="linenum">2895</span><a name="Line_2895" id="Line_2895"></a><br /> +himself provide, as it seemeth to him meet."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +Then with unfaltering purpose he ascended the steep<br /> +dune, with his son, as the Eternal had bidden him, until<br /> +he stood on the crest of the high land, on the [spot]<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a><br /> +which the mighty, faithful Lord had shown him in his<span class="linenum">2900</span><a name="Line_2900" id="Line_2900"></a><br /> +words. Forthwith he began to build the funeral-pyre<br /> +and kindle the fire, and he bound his son hand and foot,<br /><span class="pagenum">Page 197</span><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197"></a> +and then laid young Isaac on the pile, and then straight-<br /> +way grasped the sword by the hilt: he was resolved to<span class="linenum">2905</span><a name="Line_2905" id="Line_2905"></a><br /> +kill his son with his own hands and allay the flames with<br /> +his child's blood.<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +At that moment a minister of God, one of the angels,<br /> +called Abraham from above, with a loud voice. Motion-<br /> +less he answered the angel and awaited the herald's<span class="linenum">2910</span><a name="Line_2910" id="Line_2910"></a><br /> +speech. To him then forthwith God's glorious spirit-<br /> +messenger spoke from above, out of heaven, in these<br /> +words:<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +"Beloved Abraham! Do not slay thine own son, but<br /> +take the boy alive from the pile, thy child. The God<span class="linenum">2915</span><a name="Line_2915" id="Line_2915"></a><br /> +of Glory has spared him. Prince of the Ebrews, through<br /> +the holy hand of the King of Heaven thou shalt thyself<br /> +receive recompense and true rewards of victory, ample<br /> +gifts: the Keeper of Spirits will enrich thee with blessings,<span class="linenum">2920</span><a name="Line_2920" id="Line_2920"></a><br /> +because his peace and favor were dearer to thee than<br /> +thine own child."<br /> +</p> +<p class="nowrap"> +The pyre stood there blazing. The Lord of mankind<br /> +had made joyful the breast of Abraham, kinsman of<br /> +Loth, when he gave him back his son, Isaac, alive. Then<span class="linenum">2925</span><a name="Line_2925" id="Line_2925"></a><br /> +the holy hero looked about over his shoulder, and there<br /> +not far from him the brother of Aron beheld a ram<br /> +standing alone, caught fast in the thorn-bushes. Abra-<br /> +ham took this and laid it on the pyre with great zeal,<span class="linenum">2930</span><a name="Line_2930" id="Line_2930"></a><br /> +in place of his own son, brandished the sword, and dec-<br /> +orated the burnt-offering, the smoking altar, with the<br /> +blood of the ram, offered that oblation to God, [and fin-<br /> +ally] gave thanks for these blessings and for all those<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a><br /> +mercies which, late and early, the Lord had bestowed<span class="linenum">3935</span><a name="Line_3935" id="Line_3935"></a><br /> +upon him....<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum">Page 198</span><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198"></a></p> +<h2><a name="NOTES" id="NOTES" />NOTES</h2> +<div class="pagenum"><a href="#ToC">ToC</a></div> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Thorpe's translation of the <i>Genesis</i>, published with his +edition, in 1828, was not accessible to the present writer and +presumably will not be accessible to the general public, so that on the +mere score of availability it seems high time for the appearance of +another translation; moreover, in the last eighty-five years critical +scholarship has produced a greatly improved text of the poem.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Aside from necessary omissions made for <i>Genesis B</i>, the +Sections are numbered consecutively in this translation (regardless of +vagaries in the original MS. numbering), on the assumption that each +illuminated capital in the MS. was intended to indicate the beginning of +a new Section. After the excision of <i>Genesis B</i>, the numbering has been +resumed with X instead of XV, because the XIII at line 440 in the MS. +must really represent VIII.—Cf. Note 8, page 59, inf. (page 199, inf.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> ll. 39b-41a. <i>Wræcna</i>, gen. pl. with <i>bidan</i>, = <i>outcasts</i>; I +take <i>weardas</i> as in apposition with it (the acc. being either a scribal +error or an anacoluthon), and then translate <i>wræcna</i> as an adjective +for the sake of idiomatic fluency. For <i>gasta weardas</i> as an epithet for +angels, though then unfallen, cf. line 12a, sup.—The passage has given +scholars much trouble and is unsatisfactory, at best.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> line 63b. I take æðele as a form of æðelu = nobilitas, +principatus, natales, origo, genus, etc. Grein's <i>Sprachschatz</i>, 1.52.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> line 168a. Three pages seem to be missing in the MS. +Doubtless the remaining events of the third day, with those of the +fourth, fifth, and perhaps first part of the sixth, days, including the +creation of man, (i.e., apparently the contents of Gen. 1.11-2.17, +incl.) were retold in these pages.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> line 186b. This line is apparently imperfect, metrically, +for the second hemistich seems to be wanting. As the sense is complete, +without emendation, I have not followed the various scholars who would +insert after "Adam's bride" some such clause as, "Whom God named Eve."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> ll. 221-224a. The text here is corrupt and scholars differ +widely in their conjectural emendations and interpretations. Since none +of their versions is satisfactory or convincing, I venture upon an +independent reading. <i>Hebeleac</i>, of course, is the Scriptural Havilah +(Gen. 2.11); <i>Fison</i> is obviously Pison, and <i>Geon</i>, 230b inf., is +Gihon.<span class="pagenum">Page 199</span><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199"></a></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> ll. 226, 227a. I construe <i>the best</i> with <i>gold and gems</i>, +rather than with <i>sons of men</i>, because of Gen. 2.12.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> ll. 235-851. After line 234 there is a break in the MS. +Sievers has shown that the following 617 lines, called <i>Genesis B</i>, were +written and interpolated later, by a different hand, and have Old Saxon +affiliations. <i>Genesis B</i> describes the Fall of Man and also gives a new +version of the revolt and overthrow of Satan. <i>Genesis A</i> begins again, +at line 852, with the conversation between Adam and Eve and Jehovah +(Gen. 3.8 ff.).</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> line 872. I follow the divisions of the MS. This line +begins with the tenth large decorative initial, the others having +occurred at ll. 1, 82, 135, 246, 389, 442, 547, 684, and 821. Where the +editors so widely disagree as to the proper subdivisions of the poem, it +seems safer to follow the original initializing (but not the marginal +numbering of the original MS.: this skips from VII to XIII at line +440—doubtless accidentally substituting X for V—and is otherwise +irregular). Cf. footnote, page vi, sup.—For lines 869-70, cf. <i>Jour. +Eng. Germ. Phil.</i>, 12.257.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> line 1022. A hemistich seems to be missing here, +metrically.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> line 1125. A hemistich seems to be missing here, +metrically.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> line 1128. I here adopt Grein's emendation, reading <i>leod</i> +for <i>leof</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> line 1137. Cf. Gen. 4.26, with cross-references, +alternative translation, etc.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> line 1150. I follow Grein in supplying <i>wintra</i> to +complete a metrically imperfect line.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> line 1199. A hemistich seems to be missing here, +metrically; and surely the sense requires the interpolation of several +lines, to record the birth of Methuselah in Enoch's 65th year. Cf. Gen. +5.21.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> line 1211. We may restore the last word of this line, +<i>fan</i> in the MS., either as tautological <i>frean</i>, with Dietrich, or as +tautological <i>feran</i>, with Grein.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> line 1405. I follow Dietrich in reading +<i>edniowe = self-renewing</i>, for the meaningless <i>edmonne</i> in the MS.<span class="pagenum">Page 200</span><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200"></a></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> line 1492. This difficult passage may be clarified by +reading <i>ðryðe = strength, copious power</i>, in place of the meaningless +<i>ðridda = third</i>, in the MS., and at the same time making <i>þrymme</i> the +object of <i>hæfde</i> (reading <i>þrymmas</i>, if necessary).</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> line 1549. At least one line is missing, in the MS. here. +I have healed the breach by altering the case of <i>wærfæst metod</i>, in +preference to supplying conjectural material.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> line 1628a. The difficulty here may be obviated, with +slight emendation, by letting <i>Fæderne</i> modify <i>yrfestole</i>, and changing +<i>breðer</i>, as a genitive plural, to <i>broðra</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> ll. 1852b-1853. I follow Dietrich, who seems to me to make +the best of this bad business.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> line 1862b. <i>Hægstealdra wyn</i> refers to Pharaoh, of +course.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> line 1929a. A hemistich is missing here, in the MS., and a +verb must be supplied; I adopt Grein's suggestion, <i>lædde</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> line 1956b. The alliteration is defective, unless a word +be supplied; but the sense may be preserved, without emendation, by +construing <i>æfter</i> with <i>sped</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> line 2047a. Metrically, a hemistich seems to be missing.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> line 2055a. Metrically, a word or two seem to be missing.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> line 2148b. Metrically, a hemistich seems to be missing.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> line 2234b. <i>Larum</i> here seems to be tautological, perhaps +a scribal error. It might be taken with <i>bryde</i>, in an absolute +construction: <i>after the example</i>, or <i>in the manner, of a bride</i>. The +reading <i>lastum</i> is supported by line 2715a.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> line 2275b. I take <i>witodes</i> here as equivalent to +<i>wyrdes</i>: cf. Sievers' "OE. Grammar," ed. A.S. Cook, 1903, 269, N. 5.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> line 2379. Grein remarks that a page is missing here from +the MS.<span class="pagenum">Page 201</span><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201"></a></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> line 2400b. I read here <i>mægn</i> for <i>mæg</i>;—cf. line 2494b. +Or, retaining <i>mæg</i>, the line might be translated: "The Father of Light +Himself was" etc. Cf. Gen. 18.1, 16.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> line 2439b. Defective metre and sense, owing to the loss +of a hemistich, but the sense is complete. Grein's suggestion, <i>feoll on +foldan</i>, adds nothing to the following <i>hnah</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> line 2510. A passage is missing here in the MS. Cf. +2568b-2569a; and the XXXVII at 2574, after the XXXV at 2417.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> lines 2597, 2598, 2601b-2602a. There are several lacunae +here, in the MS.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> line 2628b. Some words are evidently missing here. In the +brackets I give the emendation supported by most scholars.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> line 2695b. I follow most of the editors in taking <i>hyrde</i> +as <i>family</i> and <i>frean</i> as an appositive with <i>fæder</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> line 2747b. Whatever the precise form of emendation to be +adopted, this is certainly the sense of the word and passage.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> line 2805. A passage is missing here, in the MS.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> line 2810b. A hemistich is missing here, metrically.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> line 2899a. This word (<i>stowe</i>) is Dietrich's obviously +correct emendation.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> line 2934a. Grein's emendation, <i>sælða</i> = <i>prosperity</i>, +helps the metre but not the sense. I do not adopt it.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> line 2935. In the MS., <i>Genesis</i> ends here and <i>Exodus</i> +follows at once; as 28 Chapters of the Biblical Genesis are passed over, +it seems probable that several pages in the MS. of the poem have been +lost or were not transcribed.</p></div> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Genesis A, by Anonymous + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GENESIS A *** + +***** This file should be named 15612-h.htm or 15612-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/6/1/15612/ + +Produced by David Starner, Jason Isbell and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Genesis A + Translated from the Old English + +Author: Anonymous + +Release Date: April 13, 2005 [EBook #15612] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GENESIS A *** + + + + +Produced by David Starner, Jason Isbell and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + + + + +Transcribers Note: Typographic errors in the original have been +retained. In the table of contents there are two sets of page numbers. +The first appears to be the page numbers from the original MS. The +second set in parentheses are the page numbers from this facsimile. +As the body of the text is referred to by line numbers, that section +has not been rewrapped. + + +YALE STUDIES IN ENGLISH + +ALBERT S. COOK, EDITOR + +XLVIII + +GENESIS A + +TRANSLATED FROM THE OLD ENGLISH + +BY + +LAWRENCE MASON, PH.D. + +INSTRUCTOR IN ENGLISH IN YALE COLLEGE + +NEW YORK + +HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY + +1915 + + + + +PREFACE + + +The purpose of the translator in offering to the public this +version of the _Genesis_ is to aid in forwarding--be it by but one +jot or tittle--the general knowledge and appreciation of Old English +literature. Professed students in this department will always have +an incentive to master the language; but to the public at large the +strangeness of this medium will prove an insurmountable barrier, and +the general reader must therefore either remain in ignorance of our +older literary monuments or else employ translations. The present +contribution[1] to the growing body of such translations possesses, +perhaps, more than a single interest or appeal, in that it renders +accessible not only a poem of considerable intrinsic worth, a poem +associated with the earliest of the great names in English literary +history, and a forerunner and possible source of _Paradise Lost_, but +also an important example of a literary _genre_ once immensely popular, +though now quite fallen into abeyance--namely, the lengthy versified +Scriptural paraphrase. For some idea of the prominent part played by +this form, even so late as the seventeenth century, the reader is +referred to any comprehensive manual of English literature. + +In this translation, prose has been employed instead of verse, for two +reasons. In the first place, no metrical form has yet been found which, +in the writer's judgment, at all adequately represents in modern English +the effect of the Old English alliterative verse, or stave-rime. And in +the second place, to the writer's thinking, no one but a poet should +attempt to write verse: and on that principle, translations would be few +and far between, unless prose were used. + +But even granting the value of the _Genesis_ as a fit subject for +translation, and the necessity for the employment of prose, the reader +may still quarrel with the particular _kind_ of prose hereinbelow +essayed; so a brief explanation and, it is hoped, vindication of the +theory of translation here followed would seem desirable, inasmuch as +considerable divergence is intended from the methods adopted by the +various translators of the _Beowulf_, for example. First, Biblical +phraseology has been eschewed, partly because in a modern writer it +savors of affectation, but chiefly because his Bible was the point +of departure for the Old English author, and to return now in the +translation to our Bible would be a stultification of his purposes by a +sort of _argumentum in circulo_. Secondly, archaisms, poetic diction, +and unusual constructions (the "translation English" anathematized by +the Rhetorics) have been so far as possible avoided, contrary to the +practice of most translators from Old English poetry, because it is +felt strongly that such usages will not produce upon modern readers the +effect that this poetry produced originally upon the readers or hearers +for whom it was intended. For this poetry could not have seemed alien +or exotic to its original public: either through familiar poetic +convention, or owing to the staccato and ejaculatory character of +ordinary spoken language at the time, this spasmodic, apostrophic poetry +must have seemed natural and beautiful, in the seventh or eighth +century. But-- + + Why take the style of those heroic times? + For nature brings not back the mastodon, + Nor we those times. + +To translate is to modernize. This rendering, therefore, is not an +artificial, pseudo-antique hybrid, but frankly endeavors to convey its +original to modern readers in idiomatic modern literary English, devoid +of any conscious mannerisms whatsoever. The writer has aimed at the +utmost literal fidelity consistent with the observance of all the usages +of current standard English; he has not attempted, however, to convert +the explosive appositions, with prevailing asyndeton and excessive +synonymy, of his original into the easy, flowing sentences more familiar +to modern eyes and ears, for the change would sacrifice altogether too +much of the distinctive character and flavor of Old English poetry. + +The text upon which this work is based is that of the Grein-Wuelker +_Bibliothek der Angelsaechsischen Poesie,_ 1894, save for a few minor +changes in punctuation and the few departures recorded in the Notes. +Grein's translation of the poem into modern German stave-rime, 1857, has +been frequently consulted, but the writer's real indebtedness to it is +felt to be slight. He takes great pleasure, finally, in acknowledging +his deep sense of obligation, on many grounds, to the general editor of +this series, Professor Albert S. Cook; the work was undertaken at his +suggestion, and he has been most kind in giving advice and criticism. + +Lawrence Mason. + + YALE UNIVERSITY, + _July 17, 1913._ + + + + +TABLE OF CONTENTS + + With Specification of the Biblical Chapters and Verses + represented in each Section of the Poem + + PAGE + + PREFACE III (135) + + TABLE OF CONTENTS VI (138) + + GENESIS A: + + Section I[2] 1 (141) + Section II (Gen. 1.1-5) 3 (143) + Section III (Gen. 1.4-10) 4 (144) + Lines 169-234 (Gen. 1.28, 31; 2.10-14, 18, 21, 22) 5 (145) + Lines 852-871 (Gen. 3.8-10) 7 (147) + Section X (Gen. 3.11-15) 7 (147) + Section XI (Gen. 3.16, 17, 19, 21, 24; 4.1-5, 8) 9 (149) + Section XII (Gen. 4.9-19, 21) 11 (151) + Section XIII (Gen. 4.22-26; 5.3-14) 13 (153) + Section XIV (Gen. 5.15-29, 32) 15 (155) + Section XV (Gen. 6.1-8, 11-19, 22) 17 (157) + Section XVI (Gen. 7.1-7, 11, 12, 16-23) 18 (158) + Section XVII (Gen. 8.1-4, 6-12) 20 (160) + Section XVIII (Gen. 8.15-18, 20; 9.1-9, 11-19) 22 (162) + Section XIX (Gen. 9.20-28; 10.1, 2, 6, 8-10; 11.1) 24 (164) + Section XX (Gen. 10.1, 20, 21; 11.2, 4-8, 10, 26, 27) 26 (166) + Section XXI (Gen. 11.29-32; 12.1-8) 28 (168) + Section XXII (Gen. 12.8, 10-20; 13.1-4) 30 (170) + Section XXIII (Gen. 13.5-13) 32 (172) + Section XXIV (Gen. 14.1, 2, 4, 10-16) 33 (173) + Section XXV (Gen. 14.17-24; 15.1) 37 (177) + Section XXVI (Gen. 15.2-5, 7, 18; 16.1-6) 39 (179) + Section XXVII (Gen. 16.6-12, 15, 16; 17.1, 2, 10-14, 19) 41 (181) + Section XXVIII (Gen. 17.17-21, 23, 24, 27; 18.12-14) 43 (183) + Section XXIX (Gen. 18.16, 17, 20-22) 44 (184) + Section XXX (Gen. 19.1-13, 18-26) 45 (185) + Section XXXI (Gen. 19.27-30, 33, 35-38) 49 (189) + Section XXXII (Gen. 20.1-10) 50 (190) + Section XXXIII (Gen. 20.11, 13-18; 21.1-4) 51 (191) + Section XXXIV (Gen. 21.5, 8-14, 22-24, 27) 53 (193) + Section XXXV (Gen. 21.33, 34; 22.1-13) 55 (195) + NOTES 58 (198) + + + + +GENESIS A + + + + +I. + + +Ours is a great duty--to praise in word and love at +heart the heavens' Ruler, the glorious King of Hosts: +He is the substance of all power, the head of all high +things, the Lord Almighty. Origin or beginning was 5 +never made for Him, nor shall an end ever come to the +eternal God: but, on the contrary, He is for ever supreme +by His high puissance over the heavenly kingdoms; +just and mighty, He rules the mansions of the sky, 10 +which were established far and wide through the power +of God for the sons of glory, the keepers of souls. + +These angelic hosts were wont to feel joy and rapture, +transcendent bliss, in the presence of their Creator: +their beatitude was measureless. Glorious ministers 15 +magnified their Lord, spoke his praise with zeal, lauded +the Master of their being, and were excellently happy +in the majesty of God. They had no knowledge of +working evil or wickedness, but dwelt in innocence 20 +forever with their Lord: from the beginning they wrought +in heaven nothing but righteousness and truth, until +a Prince of angels through pride strayed into sin: then +they would consult their own advantage no longer, but +turned away from God's lovingkindness. They had 25 +vast arrogance, in that by the might of multitudes they +sought to wrest from the Lord the celestial mansions, +spacious and heaven-bright. Then there fell upon +them, grievously, the envy, presumption, and pride +of the Angel who first began to carry out the evil plot, 30 +to weave it and promote it, when he boasted by word-- +as he thirsted for conflict--that he wished to own the +home and high throne of the heavenly kingdom to the +north. Thereupon God became angered and hostile 35 +towards the beings whom he had formerly exalted in +beauty and glory: he created for the traitors a marvelous +abode as penalty for their action, namely the pangs of +Hell, bitter afflictions; Our Lord called forth that 40 +abysmal joyless house of punishment to wait for the +outcast keepers of souls.[3] When he knew that it was +ready, he enveloped it in eternal night and equipped it +with torment, filling it with fire and fearful cold, with +fume and red flame: then he commanded the terrors +of suffering to increase throughout that hapless place. 45 + +They had committed a dire sin against God: on that +account dire punishment befell them. They asserted, +in fierce mood, that they wished to seize the kingdom +and could easily do so: but this presumption mocked +them when their Lord, the high King of heaven, lifted 50 +up his almighty hand against the throng. The mad +rebels, accursed ones, could not make head against God, +but the Highest troubled their spirits and humbled their +pride, for he was incensed; he stripped the sinners of 55 +victory and might, of dominion and honor, and further +took from his foes happiness, peace, and all joys, as well +as bright glory, and finally, with his own exceeding power, +wreaked his wrath on his adversaries in mighty ruin. 60 +He was stern in mood, grimly embittered, and seized +upon his foes with resistless grasp and broke them in +his grip, enraged at heart, and deprived his opponents of +their native seat,[4] their bright abodes on high. For 65 +our Creator dismissed and banished from heaven the +overweening band of angels: the Lord sent away on a +long journey the faithless multitude, the hateful host, +the miserable spirits; their pride was broken, their threat 70 +overthrown, their glory shattered, and their beauty +dimmed; thenceforth they abode in desolation, because +of their dark exile. They did not dare to laugh aloud, +but lived wearied by the torments of hell and became +familiar with woes, bitterness, and sorrow; covered with 75 +darkness, they bore their pain,--a heavy sentence, +because they had begun to battle against God. + +Then, as formerly, true peace existed in heaven, fair +amity: for the Lord was dear to all, the Sovereign to his 80 +servants; and the majesty of the joyful angelic hosts +increased, through the favor of the Almighty. + + + + +II. + + +So those who inhabited the sky, home of glory, were +at peace; hatred was gone, as well as sorrow and strife +among angels, ever since the rebellious hosts, bereft of the 85 +light, had relinquished heaven. Behind them stood in +grandeur their seats rich in glorious workmanship, teeming +with blessings in God's kingdom, bright and perennially +bountiful,--but all devoid of occupants, ever since the 90 +miserable spirits had gone to their place of punishment, +their vile prison. Then our Lord bethought him, in +meditative mood, how he might people again, and with +a better race, his high creation, the noble seats and glory- 95 +crowned abodes which the haughty rebels had left +vacant, high in heaven. Therefore Holy God willed by +his plenteous power that under the circle of the firma- +ment the earth should be established, with sky above and 100 +wide water, a world-creation in place of the foes whom +in their apostasy he hurled from bliss. + +As yet there was nothing at all created here, except +shadows, but this broad earth stood deep and dim, idle 105 +and useless, alien even to God himself; on it the King +whose purpose never falters turned his eyes and beheld +the place void of joy; he saw dark clouds, black under +the firmament, throng in the eternal night, dun and 110 +waste, until this world-creation came to pass through +the word of the King of Glory. First the everlasting +Lord, protector of all things, created heaven and earth; +as the almighty King put forth the firmament and with 115 +victorious might established this ample world. The +earth was as yet unadorned by vegetation: the ocean +covered it far and wide, turbid waves in the eternal +night. Then was the glorious Spirit of heaven's guardian 120 +borne over the sea with sovereign virtue. For the King +of the angels commanded Light, dispenser of life, to +come forth over the broad expanse: quickly was the +Arch-King's mandate fulfilled, and Holy Light appeared 125 +over the waste spaces, as the Creator had ordained it. +The Wielder of Victory next sundered light from darkness, +shadow from radiance, over the surge of the sea. Then +he formed the two names of the dispensers of life: light +was first called "Day" by the word of the Lord, a 130 +beauteous creation. This period of creation greatly +pleased God, in the beginning: the first day saw the +dark shadows duskily flee away over the wide earth. + + + + +III. + + +Time now went forth over the frame-work of the 135 +world: after this shining splendor, the Lord our Creator +fashioned the first evening, but on its track rushed a +thronging welter of darkness which the Lord himself +called by the name of "Night." Our Saviour sundered 140 +these two: ever since then they have ceaselessly wrought +and fulfilled the will of the Lord over the earth. +Then the second day advanced, light after darkness; +and the Ruler of Life straightway commanded a glad 145 +sky-substance to appear in the midst of the flood: our +Master parted the waves and wrought there the found- +ations of the firmament: this the Mighty One, omnipotent +King, reared aloft from the earth through his own word. 150 +The flood was divided under the high heavens by holy +power, the waters from the waters, and still they remain +so under the firmament which roofs all nations. + +Then swiftly came advancing over the world the third 155 +great morn. Nor were the spreading lands and ways +yet deemed needful by our Lord, but the earth stood +girt fast by water. Through his word, the Ruler of +the angels bade the waters be gathered together, which +now hold their course beneath the skies in an appointed 160 +place. Then speedily the broad ocean stood all together +under heaven, as the Holy One commanded, for the +flood was sundered from the dry land. Thereupon +Life's Ruler looked upon the dry land, the Preserver of +mankind [found it] widely visible, and the King of 165 +Glory called it "Earth." He established a proper +channel for the waves, the broad flood, and fettered.... + + * * * * * + +(_Lacuna in MS._[5]) + + * * * * * + +The Ruler of Heaven did not think it fitting that 170 +Adam, the keeper of Paradise and shepherd of the new +creation, should be alone any longer: so the supreme +King, Ruler Almighty, made a companion for him-- +created Woman, and gave this helpmate to his cherished 175 +Man as the first and fruitful light of his life. He took his +material from Adam's body and skilfully removed a +rib from his side: the latter was deep in repose and +slumbered peacefully; he felt no pain, though a little 180 +uneasiness, nor did a drop of blood come from the wound, +but the Prince of the Angels took from his body a living +bone while the man was unwounded. From this God +fashioned a noble woman, and put into her the breath +of life and an immortal soul: these two were like the 185 +angels. Thus was Adam's bride[6] endowed with a +living spirit. They were both radiantly beautiful in their +youthfulness, in the world prepared by the might of +the Lord: they did not know how to undertake or 190 +work evil, but on the contrary there was in the breast +of each a burning love of God. Then the benign King, +Ruler of everyone born of the race of man, blessed these +first two creatures, father and mother, woman and +man. Thereafter he spoke these words: 195 + +"Be fruitful now and increase; fill the verdant earth +with progeny, your race, both sons and daughters. Under +your sway shall be the salt water and all the created +world. Enjoy prosperous days, [ruling over] both 200 +the fishes of the deep and the fowls of the air. Into +your power are given the sacred herd and the wild beasts +and every living thing that walks the earth; all breath- +ing creatures, whatsoever the sea brings forth over the 205 +whale-paths, all things belong to you two." + +Then our Maker beheld the beauty of his works and +the fullness of his abundance, his new creations. Pa- +radise stood, good and holy, filled with blessings, ever- 210 +lasting bounty. That kindly soil was beauteously +watered by the rushing seas and springing fountains; +for never yet had clouds dark with wind brought down +rains over the broad earth: but none the less the ground +stood crowned with its harvest. From this new Garden 215 +four noble river-streams have their outflow: these were +all partitioned out of one fair-shining water by the might +of the Lord, when he created the earth, and [were thus] 220 +sent out into the world. Men dwelling on the earth, +the peoples of the nations, call one of these Fison, which +broadly girdles with its bright streams a quarter of the +earth beyond Hebeleac[7]: in that ancestral soil the sons 225 +of men, nations near and far, find the best gold and +precious stones,[8] as the books tell us. Then the second +[river], whose name is Geon, girdles the land and govern- +ment of Ethiopia, an ample kingdom. The third is 230 +Tigris, a foaming stream which encircles the people of +Assyria. Such likewise is the fourth, which men among +many a nation now widely call Eufrates....[9] + + * * * * * + +(_Genesis B intervenes here_.) + + * * * * * + +Then the Almighty King, the great Lord, came forth +into the garden about mid-day, by his divine will; for 855 +our Saviour and merciful Father wished to find out +what his children were doing: he knew that they were +sinful to whom he had given perfection. Bereft of +their beatitude and stricken in spirit, they avoided his +presence by retreating among the shadows of the trees; 860 +they hid themselves in dark recesses, when they heard +the holy word of the Lord and feared him. Straight- +way the King of Heaven began to call for the keeper +of the [newly] created world; the mighty Lord bade +his son come to him forthwith. He answered him then, 865 +the wretched one himself, destitute of clothing, [and] +said: + +"Lord of my life, I am hiding myself here because +unclothed; basely sinful, I am covering my shame with +leaves: my pain is cruel, most bitter in my heart. I dare 870 +not now go forth before thy presence: I am all naked!" + + + + +X.[10] + + +To him then God at once replied: + +"Tell me this, my son: why do you seek the shadows, +in shame? You certainly received no disgrace at my 875 +hands, but on the contrary delight in all things! How +come you to know evil and hide shame and behold sor- +row and cover your body with leaves and, saddened and +crushed by the woes of life, say that you need clothing, +unless you have tasted of an apple from the tree which 880 +I forbade to you by express command?" + +Adam then answered him again: + +"The woman, my Lord, the fair woman gave into +my hand this fruit, which I accepted in sin against thee. 885 +Now I bear this manifest sign in myself: I know so much +the more of sorrow!" + +Then Almighty God asked Eve about this: + +"Why did you forfeit these plenteous delights, daughter, +the new creations of paradise, abundant blessings, when 890 +in your cupidity you seized on the trunk and took the +fruit from the branch of the tree and ate the accursed +thing in defiance of me, and gave of the apple to Adam, +when you both by my prohibition were so strictly for- 895 +bidden to do so?" + +Then the fair maiden, the woman overcome by shame, +answered him: + +"The serpent tempted me and urgently prompted me +to sin; through fair words the worm goaded me into +accursed frowardness, until I basely performed the 900 +deadly act, committed the crime, and robbed the tree in +the grove, as it was not lawful to do, and ate the fruit." + +Then our Saviour, the Lord Almighty, ordained wide +wanderings for the serpent, the venomous worm, and 905 +spoke further in these words: + +"To far distant times shalt thou, an outcast, crawl +over the broad earth on thy breast, thy belly; without +feet shalt thou move about, so long as life and breath +remain in thee. Dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy 910 +life, since thou hast accomplished so evil a deed here. +Thee the woman shall war against, and hate thee +[worse than anything else] under heaven, and shall tread +upon thine accursed head with her feet; thou shalt lie +in wait at her heels, in ever-new conflict: for there +shall be war between thy offspring and her offspring 915 +always, as long as the earth exists under the cloudy +skies. Now dost thou understand and know, baleful +destroyer of mankind, how thou shalt live!" + + + + +XI. + + +Then God wrathfully spoke to Eve: + +"Depart now from bliss! Thou shalt be ever under +the sway of men; with fear of men cruelly oppressed, 920 +thou shalt sorrowfully endure the heinousness of thine +offence and wait for death, and with weeping and wailing +and great anguish bring into the world thy sons and +daughters!" + +Likewise to Adam did the Eternal Lord, Source of 925 +Light and Life, declare a cruel edict: + +"Thou shalt seek another country, a joyless dwelling- +place, and wander in exile, naked and needy, driven 930 +away from the blessings of paradise; the separation of +soul and body is now ordained for thee. Lo, thou hast +wickedly originated sin: therefore thou shalt toil, and +win thy sustenance on earth by thyself, acquire it by +the sweat of thy face, and thus eat thy bread so long 935 +as thou livest here,--until ungentle disease, which thou +didst recently take to thyself with the apple, strikes +thee cruelly to the heart: then shalt thou die." + +Behold, we learn thus how bitter afflictions and uni- 940 +versal miseries came upon us. + +Thereupon the Guardian of Glory, our Creator, girded +them with clothing; the Lord bade them cover their +nakedness with some simple garments, and bade them +set forth and depart from paradise into a harder life. +Behind them, by God's command, a holy angel with a 945 +fiery sword shut the gate of their blissful home of peace +and joy; nor may any guileful sin-stained man ever fare +thither again, for the warder has might and strength 950 +who keeps for the Lord that greater life rich in glories. +Yet the Almighty, our First Father, would not take +away all comforts from Adam and Eve, though they had +fallen away from him: but he still let the lofty roof 955 +studded with holy stars stand as a solace for them, and +gave them ample possessions, and bade the seas and +land bring forth for the pair multitudes of each of the +young-producing species [necessary] for the sustenance 960 +of this life. So, after their sin, they inhabited a more +sorrowful land, a dwelling and country less fertile in +every kind of blessing than their former abode had +been, from which they had been driven out after their +misdeed. + +Then they began, by God's command, to produce 965 +children, as the Lord had charged them. To begin +with, by Adam and Eve were brought into the world +two fair first-born sons, Cain and Abel. The books +tell us how these first toilers, loving brothers, gained 970 +their subsistence, riches and food: the one who was +elder born tilled the earth with his strength; the second +kept the flocks, helping his father, until a great number 975 +of days passed. They both brought an offering to the +Lord: the Prince of the Angels, King of all things, looked +upon Abel's offering with [favorable] eyes, but would +not consider the sacrifice of Cain; that caused strong +indignation in the heart of the man: rage arose in the 980 +youth's breast, livid hatred, and wrath by reason of +envy: then he wrought evil deeds with his hands, slew +his kinsman, his own brother, shed his blood,--yea, 985 +Cain [shed] Abel's. And the earth soaked up this blood +shed by murder, the life-blood of a man. + +After this fatal blow woe was aroused, the long train +of afflictions: since then from this twig have hatefully +sprouted ever longer and stronger bitter branches: these 990 +branches of calamity spread far and wide over the nations +of men: hardly and sorely did the twigs of misery strike +the sons of men (and so they still do), from which the +broad leaves of all suffering began to spring. We may 995 +tearfully lament this account, this death-bringing fatal- +ity, and not in vain: but the fair woman injured us +[more] severely through the first sin which men dwelling +on earth ever committed against the Lord, since Adam 1000 +was filled with the breath of life by the mouth of God! + + + + +XII. + + +Then the Master of Splendor asked Cain through his +word, where Abel was, upon the earth. Quickly there- +upon the wicked worker of slaughter answered him: 1005 + +"I know not Abel's coming or going, my kinsman's +course: I was not my brother's keeper!" + +Then the Prince of Angels, the Spirit rich in good +things, spoke to him again: + +"Why didst thou cast that virtuous man, thy brother, 1010 +on his death-bed with thy violent hands, and his blood +now calleth and crieth unto me? For this murder +shalt thou undergo punishment and wander in exile 1015 +accursed unto distant ages: nor shall the earth, fair +for all necessary sustenance, yield thee harvest, for it +drank sacred blood at thy hands: therefore the earth, +verdant in beauty, denies thee its bounties. Infamous, +thou shalt sorrowfully wander from thy native land, +because thou hast been Abel's murderer: thou shalt 1020 +go forth an outcast over a long road, hateful to all thy +relatives!" + +Then Cain answered him[11]: + +"Now I dare not hope for any grace in the kingdoms +of the world, for I have forfeited, O high King of heaven, 1025 +thy favor as well as love and peace: therefore shall I +travel far ways in expectation of woes, whensoever any +one far or near shall find me, in my guilt, who may +remember my crime, my brother's murder: I shed his 1030 +blood, his life-blood on the ground. On this day thou +dost banish me from comfort and drive me from my +native land: someone of my foes shall be my murderer; +accursed, O God, shall I wander from thy sight." 1035 + +Then the Lord of Victory spoke to him: + +"Thou needst not as yet dread the terror of death +and murder, though thou shalt depart far from thy +friends, an outcast. If any man by his own hand 1040 +deprives thee of life, then shall come upon him sevenfold +vengeance for his sin, as penalty for his deed." + +Our Ruler and glorious Lord set on him a sign, the 1045 +Master [set] a symbol of immunity, so that none of his +foes far or near might dare to approach him with warlike +intent; then he bade the wicked one leave forever his +mother and sons, all his family. Thereupon Cain set +out and departed sorrowing from before the face of God, 1050 +a joyless exile, and built himself a dwelling to the east, +a habitation far from his fatherland: there a fair maiden, +a woman of the country, bore him offspring. + +The eldest was called Enos, first-born of Cain; he 1055 +began at once to build a city, with his kinsfolk: that +was the first beneath the clouds of all the fortifications +which heroes and swordsmen have caused to be built. 1060 +Therein his offspring first arose, born of his wife in the +citadel: the eldest son of Enos was called Jared. Thence +arose the tribe of Cain, which increased the numbers 1065 +of its race. Next to Jared, Malalehel was the keeper +of the heritage after his father, until he passed away. +Afterwards Mathusal shared the royal treasures with +his kinsfolk, with his brothers, scion after scion, until 1070 +wise through length of days he had to consummate +his departure from the world and forsake life. After +his father's day, Lamech received the household +goods and domestic wealth: two wives, Ada and 1075 +Sella, women of the country, bore offspring to him: of +these one was Jabal by name, son of Lamech, who +through skilful cunning first of dwellers here below +awoke by his hands the song of the harp, that melo- 1080 +dious sound. + + + + +XIII. + + +Likewise, at this same time, there was in this family +a man called Tubal Cain, a son of Lamech, who through +the abundance of his skill was a master-smith, and first 1085 +among men through the craft of his mind he was the +inventor of agricultural implements upon earth: since +then the sons of men dwelling in cities have known far +and wide how to use brass and iron. + +Once on a time Lamech himself made in words a wicked 1090 +confession to his two wives, his dear bed-fellows, Ada +and Sella: + +"In murder I have slain a certain one among my near +relations; I stained my hands with the gory death of 1095 +Cain, destroyed with my hands the father of Enos, the +slayer of Abel, and poured on the ground the life-blood +of a man. Well knew I that for this shall come at last +the sevenfold vengeance of the King of Truth, great 1100 +according to the crime: my fall and destruction shall +be more sternly meted out, with grim horror, when I +depart!"-- + +Now, there came to Adam in Abel's place another 1105 +heir born in legal wedlock, an upright son, whose name +was Seth: he was happy and contributed greatly to the +comfort of his parents, Adam and Eve, his father and +mother, and took Abel's place in worldly affairs. 1110 + +Then the first of men spoke these words: + +"The Eternal Lord of Victory and Ruler of Life has +given me a son in place of the dear one whom Cain +slew, and our God has driven my grievous sorrow from 1115 +my heart with this man-child: to Him be praise for this!" +When he began again to raise up another son to him- +self by his wife, to be his heir, Adam the vigorous cham- +pion had [numbered] 130 winters of this life in the world. 1120 +The Scriptures tell us that on earth here for 800 years +after that, Adam increased his family with maidens +and youths: in all he had 930[12] winters, when he had to 1125 +give over this world through the departure of his spirit. +After him Seth ruled over the people,[13] the son held +the heritage after the parents, and took unto himself 1130 +a wife: he counted 105 winters when he first began to +increase the numbers of his family by sons and daughters. +The eldest son of Seth was called Enos: he first of all 1135 +the children of man called upon God,[14] since Adam +stepped upon the green grass, endowed with the spirit +of life. Seth was happy, and afterwards begot sons +and daughters for 807 winters: in all he had 912, when 1140 +the time was fulfilled that he should accomplish his +departure. + +After him, when he departed out of the world, Enos +held the heritage, after the earth had received the body 1145 +of Seth, fruitful in the Lord. He was dear to God, and +lived here 90 winters before he begot children here by +his wife through intercourse: to him then was Cainan +first born, an heir in his ancestral home. Afterwards 1150 +for 815 winters[15] in the peace of God, the wise hero +begot offspring, sons and daughters: he died, the sage +patriarch, when he had [fulfilled] 905 [years]. + +After Enos, Cainan was chieftain, keeper, and leader 1155 +of his race: he had [numbered] 70 winters before a son +was born to him: when an heir was born for the patri- +mony, this son of Cainan was called Malalehel. There- 1160 +after for 840 [years] he increased the number of his +family by [begetting] children. In all, the son of Enos +had [lived] 910 winters, when he left this world, when 1165 +the number of his appointed days under the expanse of +the skies was fulfilled. + + + + +XIV. + + +After him Malalehel kept the land and inheritance for +many seasons. The chieftain had [lived] 65 winters, 1170 +when he began to beget children by his wife. His wife +brought a son to him, the woman to the man: this son +in his childhood, as I have heard, the man-child in his +youth, was called Jared. After this Malalehel lived 1175 +long and rejoiced in [his] blessings, [all] the delights of +men here below and worldly treasures: 895 winters had +he numbered when he departed; to his son he left the 1180 +land and the government. + +After him for a long while Yeared dispensed gold to +the people; the chieftain was noble, a pious hero, and a +ruler dear to his subjects; 165 expectant winters he 1185 +lived his life in this world, when his happiness arrived, +for his wife brought a son into the world: this son was +called Enoch, his fair first-born. But the father still +added descendants to the number of his race, for 800 1190 +[years]: in all he had [counted] 965 [years] by night- +reckoning when he departed, the ancient patriarch, +when he gave up this world. And Yeared left land and 1195 +government to his wise [son], the dear leader. + +After this Enoch raised aloft the sovereignty, the sagaci- +ous leadership of the people: in no wise did he let fall the +dominion and authority[16] while he was guardian of his 1200 +kinsfolk: he enjoyed days of happiness, and begot sons, +for 300 winters; the Lord, the Ruler of the Skies, was +gracious to him. From this world the hero sought in +the body the joy and bliss of the Lord; in no wise did 1205 +he die the death of this earth, as men [ordinarily] do +here, young and old, when God takes away from them +their possessions and substance, [all] earth's treasures, +and their life as well: but while living he set forth with 1210 +the King of Angels out of this transitory life into bliss,[17] +[clad] in the robes which his spirit received before his +mother brought him forth to men. He left the people +to his to his eldest son, his first-born; 365 winters had he 1215 +[numbered] when he left the world. + +For some time after him, his son Mathusal held the +inheritance, who for the longest space of time enjoyed 1220 +the pleasures of the world in this body: he begot a +multitude of sons and daughters, before the day of his +death. When he had to depart from among men, the +venerable hero had [enjoyed] 970 winters. + +After him, his son Lamech held the government: for 1225 +a long time thereafter he ruled over the world; he had +[lived] 102 winters when the season came for the chief- +tain to begin to beget noble heirs, sons and daughters. + +After this the lord and chief of the people lived 595 1230 +[years], enjoyed many a winter under the skies, ruled +the race well, and begot children: youths and maidens +arose as heirs to him. The eldest of them he named +Noe, who reigned over the land among men after Lamech 1235 +departed. + +This sage ruler of the noblemen was 500 years old +when he first began to beget children, as the books tell. +The eldest son of Noe was called Sem, the next Cham, 1240 +the third Jafeth. + +The people multiplied widely under the skies: the +race of men increased in number over the earth, by 1245 +[the birth of] sons and daughters. Now the descendants +of Seth, that beloved leader of the people, were still +very much cherished, dear to the Lord and prosperous. + + + + +XV. + + +But when the sons of God began to seek brides among +the race of Cain, the accursed folk, and chose wives 1250 +from among them against the will of God, the children +of men from among the sinful maidens, beautiful and +bright, then the Ruler of the heavens pronounced his +wrath against mankind and spoke these words: + +"The men of Cain's race have not been absent from 1255 +my mind, but that stock has sorely offended me. Now +the sons of Seth renew my wrath and take to themselves +the maidens of my enemies as wives: the fairness of the 1260 +women, the maidens' faces, and the eternal Fiend have +shamefully captivated the multitude of men who were +formerly in peace." + +After that, for 120 winters, duly numbered, exile +afflicted the accursed race in this world; then the Lord 1265 +wished to inflict punishment upon the covenant-breakers, +and to smite with death the doers of evil, the giant folk +unloved by God, the great and sinful foes hateful to the +Lord, when the Wielder of Victory himself saw what 1270 +was man's wickedness on earth, and how they all were +bold in crime and utterly vicious. He thought to +punish rigorously the races of men, to seize upon the 1275 +peoples grimly and sorely, with cruel might: he repented +exceedingly that he had ever created the author of the +nations, the source of the peoples, when he fashioned +Adam. He said that on account of the sins of men he +would utterly blot out all that there was on earth, 1280 +destroy every one of the bodies in whose bosom the +breath of life was concealed: all that came near to the +sons of men, the Lord determined to annihilate. + +Noe, the son of Lamech, just and honorable, was dear 1285 +to God, the Preserver. The Lord knew that the virtue +of the true man prevailed in the innermost thoughts of +his breast; therefore the Lord, holy in helpfulness, Pro- 1290 +tector of all men, told him by revelation what he pur- +posed inflicting upon the wicked ones: for he saw the +earth full of unrighteousness, the broad plains laden +with sin, polluted with foulness. Then spoke the Al- 1295 +mighty, our Saviour, and said to Noe: + +"I am resolved to destroy humanity by means of a +deluge, and also every kind of living thing that the air +and waters produce and support, both beast and bird: +but thou shalt have shelter, with thy sons, when the 1300 +dark waters, the black floods of death, destroy mankind, +the vile sinners. Begin to build thee a ship, a mighty +sea-house, in which thou shalt give a place of refuge +to many a one and a safe home to every species on earth, 1305 +after thine own. Build partitions in the midst of the +ship. Make the boat fifty cubits wide, thirty high, +three hundred long, and joint it stoutly against the 1310 +assault of the waves. There shall be a creature of every +living species, a scion of every race on earth, led within +that wooden fortress; so must the Ark be the greater!" + +Noe did as the Lord commanded him, obeyed the 1315 +holy King of Heaven, began at once to build that Ark, +the mighty sea-chest; he told his kinsmen that there +was a horrible thing impending over the people, dire +punishment: but they heeded this not at all. Then, 1320 +after several winters, the Changeless Lord saw that the +vast sea-house, Noe's vessel, towered up in readiness, +strengthened within and without with the best earth- +lime, against the waves; it is unique in its kind: the +harder the fierce waters of the dark billows beat it, the 1325 +stouter does it ever become. + + + + +XVI. + + +Then our Preserver spoke to Noe: "I give thee my +pledge for this, O dearest of mankind, that thou mayst +now take up thy course with the creatures of all kinds 1330 +which thou shalt bear across the deep water for many +days, in the bosom of thy vessel. Lead on board the +Ark, as I bid thee, thy sons, the three first-born, and +your four wives. And do thou take into the sea-house 1335 +seven [members] duly counted of each of the species that +live to [supply] nourishment for men, and two of each +of the others: likewise take on the Ark some of all plants +growing on earth used for food by the people who are 1340 +to sail over the floods with thee. Feed freely the differ- +ent species of animals, until I shall prepare a place under +heaven by my Word for those who are saved from this +watery journey. Depart now with thy household into 1345 +the Ark, with the multitude of dependent things; I know +thee for a good and true man: thou art worthy of +safety and mercy, with thy sons. In seven nights now I +shall let the deadly rain fall from above upon the face 1350 +of the broad earth. For forty days will I set my ven- +geance against mankind, and with a deluge blot out all +the possessions and possessors that are beyond the sides +of the Ark, when the black storm begins to descend." 1355 + +Then Noe left him, as our Preserver commanded, in +order to lead his children on board the Ark, men and their +wives together on the great ship; and all that God Al- +mighty wished to preserve for perpetuating their spe- +cies, went on board to their food-giver, as the Almighty 1360 +Lord of Hosts bade them through his word. With his +own hands, the Guardian of Heaven, Wielder of Victory, +locked the entrance of the sea-house behind them, and 1365 +our Saviour blessed [all] within the Ark with his own +grace. Noe, the son of Lamech, had 600 winters when +he embarked with his sons, at God's command,--that 1370 +wise man, with the young people, his dear kinsfolk. + +The Lord sent rain from heaven, and likewise let +the springs from every source rush upon the world far +and wide, [let] the dark ocean-streams burst forth in 1375 +tumult: the seas rose up over the boundaries of the +shore. Strong and stern was He who ruled the waters, +for he covered and shrouded with wan waters the accursed +wickedness of the sons of the earth and devastated the 1380 +land and homes of men: the Lord wreaked [his fury] +upon men for their offences. The sea cruelly gripped +the wretched folk for forty days, and nights as many +bitter was the suffering then, cruelly fateful to men. +The waves of the King of Glory drove the souls of the 1385 +vicious ones forth from their bodies. The flood covered +everything; turbid under the sky [it covered] the high +mountains over the broad earth, and on its crest raised +the Ark aloft from the ground, and its noble crew with it, +[the Ark] which the Lord Himself, our Creator, blessed, 1390 +when he locked the ship. Thereafter this best of ships +rode widely under the skies over the circle of the sea, +fared [forth] with its freight: the terrors of the flood 1395 +would have seized them with violence in the sea-traver- +sing vessel, but the Holy God led and preserved them. +Fifteen ells deep, by man's measure, stood the deluge +over the hills. That is a memorable occurrence: there 1400 +was nothing at hand for [the Ark] but destruction, +except that it was raised aloft into the upper air when +the inundation killed all creatures upon earth other than +those whom the Lord of Heaven saved on board the Ark, +when the Holy God everlasting, the steadfast King, let 1405 +[the flood] rise up with ever-increasing[18] stream. + + + + +XVII. + + +Then God, Wielder of Victory, was mindful of those +floating on the deep, the son of Lamech and all his 1410 +family, whom the Source of Light and Life had locked +up against the water in the bosom of the ship. The +Lord of mankind led the heroes by his Word over far +lands. Soon the flood began to abate; the deluge ebbed, +dark under the sky: the true God had turned back again 1405 +the foaming waves, for his children; the Glorious One +[had] stilled the cataracts of rain. For 150 nights under +the skies the foamy ship floated, from the time when +the well-nailed sides of this best of boats first arose +upon the flood until this number of days of dire time 1420 +had passed. Then the Ark of Noe, greatest of ocean- +homes, settled on high with its burden on the hills which +are called Armenia: there the pious son of Lamech 1425 +awaited the sure promises for a long time, when the +Keeper of Life, the Almighty King, gave him relief from +the perilous chances which he had long undergone, +when the dark waves bore him abroad on the deep over 1430 +far countries. + +The flood was sinking; the sea-farers, the heroes and +their wives, longed [for the time] when they might +venture to step out of their straitened quarters over the +well-nailed side out on the bank, and take their goods 1435 +out of their crowded home. So the guardian of the ship +tried to find out whether the waters were still sinking +under the clouds: accordingly, after many days from the +time the high mountain-sides received the possessions 1440 +and persons of the races of earth, the son of Lamech +let a black raven fly out of the Ark over the high flood. +Noe believed that if it found no land in its flight, it 1445 +would zealously seek him again on the ship over the wide +water. But this hope failed him; for the evil [bird] +alighted upon a floating corpse: the dark-feathered fowl +would not seek [further]. Then again after a week he sent +from the Ark a purple dove to fly over the high water 1450 +after the dark raven, for the purpose of finding out +whether the foamy sea, the ocean, had given up any +portion of the green earth, as yet. Widely she sought 1455 +her desired object, and flew afar: nowhere did she find +a resting-place, since she could not settle on land on foot +because of the flood, nor alight on a leaf of a tree +because of the waves; for the steep mountain-sides were 1460 +hidden by the waters. The wild bird set out in the +evening to seek the Ark over the dusky flood, and sank +weary and famished in the hands of the pious hero. +Then after a week the wild-dove was again sent out 1465 +from the Ark: she flew far, until greatly rejoicing she +found a fair place for rest and settled with her feet on +a tree; she exulted glad at heart, because exceedingly +weary [as she was] she could sit in the bright branches 1470 +of a tree: she shook out her wings and started to fly +back again with her gift, [for she] brought in her flight +an olive twig, green leaves, into the hands of one [on +board]. Then quickly the leader of the voyagers per- 1475 +ceived that solace had come, relief from their perilous +experience. So again after a third week the happy +man sent out a wild dove; it did not come flying back +to the ship, for it found land, green groves: the glad 1480 +creature did not wish to show itself ever again under the +pitch-smeared roof on the Ark, when there was no need. + + + + +XVIII. + + +Then to Noe spoke our Preserver, Ruler of Heaven, +with holy voice: + +"For you is a dwelling-place again appointed, fair 1485 +on the dry land, joys on earth and rest after your voyage. +Depart in peace out of the Ark, and lead forth upon the +bosom of the earth out of this lofty structure your com- +panions and all the creatures which I mercifully preserved 1490 +from the peril of the flood, while the deluge held sway +[and] covered your home with its abundance.[19]" + +He did so, and obeyed the Lord, stood forth upon the +strand, as the Voice bade him, and with great joy led 1495 +out of the ship the survivors of these perils. + +Then Noe began to institute a sacrifice to our Preserver, +and immediately took a part of all his possessions which +the Lord had given to him for his comfort, and then, 1500 +zealous for the offering, even to God Himself, King of +the Angels, the clear-souled man proffered the sacrifice. +Certainly our Saviour let it be known, when he blessed 1505 +Noe and his sons too, that [the patriarch] had given Him +this offering acceptably and in his youth had merited +by his good deeds that Almighty God, Glorious in +Splendor, should be gracious to him with all blessings. 1510 +Then again the Lord, Ruler of Glory, spoke a word to +Noe: + +"Increase now and multiply, enjoy your honor, with +the gladness of peace: fill the earth, make all things teem. +Into your possession is given a noble heritage, the produce 1515 +of the sea, the fowls of heaven, and the wild beasts,-- +the verdant earth and every treasure. You shall +never dishonorably procure your food through bloodshed, 1520 +sinfully stricken in its life-blood. Each one first of all +injures himself in the riches of the spirit, who with the +edge of the sword takes the life of another: nor shall +he dare to rejoice in thought over the spoils, for I will +avenge a man's death all the more severely upon the 1525 +slayer and upon the fratricide, in proportion as blood- +shed, the slaughter of a man with weapons, or murder by +[violent] hands, seems to succeed. Man was first created +in the likeness of God: every man has the form of the 1530 +Lord and of the Angels, whose virtues follow my holy +will. Increase and multiply, enjoy riches and honor on +earth. Fill the countries of the world with people, your +offspring, sons and daughters. I will set up for you this 1535 +my pledge, that I will never again let loose the floods +upon the earth, the waters over the broad lands: you +may see this witness frequently upon the clouds, when 1540 +I show my rainbow, [as proof] that I will certainly keep +this bond with men, while the world lasts." + +Thus was the prudent son of Lamech, the keeper of +the heritage, disembarked from his ship after the flood 1545 +with his three sons; and their four wives were named +Percoba, Olla, Olliva, and Ollivani,[20] saved from the +waters by the true God. The stout-minded heroes, 1550 +the sons of Noe, were called Sem and Cham, and the third +Iafeth: from these warriors the nations sprang and all +this earth was filled with the children of men. + + + + +XIX. + + +Then for the second time Noe began to establish his 1555 +home, with his kinsfolk, and to till the earth for food; +he struggled and toiled, planted a vineyard, sowed many +seeds and tended them carefully, so that the green 1560 +earth, with its fertile boon, brought him fair harvests. + +Then it befell once that the blessed man was in his +dwelling, drunken with wine; weary of feasting he slept, +and thrust the robe from his body, as was not fitting, and 1565 +lay there with naked limbs: little he noticed that it went +so ill with him in his hall, when intoxication in his breast +gripped his heart in the holy house. In this torpor his 1570 +intelligence was cruelly crippled, so that he could not +call to mind [the necessity for] covering himself with his +clothing and concealing his nakedness, as was ordained +for men and women, ever since the minister of Glory 1575 +locked the native abode of life behind our [first father] +and mother, with a fiery sword. Now Cam, the son +of Noe, chanced to come in where his father lay bereft +of consciousness: thereupon would he dutifully no honor 1580 +show to his own father nor at least conceal the dis- +grace from his kinsmen; but laughing aloud he told +his brothers how the patriarch rested in the house. +They repaired thither speedily, their faces carefully 1585 +veiled under cloaks, so that they bore aid to the dear +man: they were both good men, Sem and Iafeth. + +Then the son of Lamech awoke from his sleep and +soon perceived that Cham would not show him, the nobly 1590 +born, any affection and duty, when honor was due him. +That was bitter to the heart of the holy man, and he +began to curse his son with [harsh] words: he said that +Ham should be humbled under the heavens, the servant 1595 +of his kinsfolk on earth: on him and his race those +baneful words have fallen heavily, ever since. Then +Noe enjoyed his broad heritage with his sons, free men, +for 350 winters of this life after the flood: then he passed 1600 +away. + +After that his sons dispensed the treasures: they +begot children: great was their wealth. Thus to Iafeth +was progeny born, a pleasing family of promising young 1605 +ones, sons and daughters. He was a good man [and] +ever prosperously held his patrimony, [sharing his] +abundance with his children, until the treasure of his +breast, his spirit longing for release, was summoned to 1610 +the judgment of God: thereupon Geomor, Iafeth's son, +shared his father's property with his friends, dear ones, +and relatives; with his descendants was filled by genera- +tion no small portion of the earth.-- + +Sons of Cham were born, likewise, heirs for the pa- 1615 +trimony: the eldest were called Chus and Cham, very +noble of soul, the first-born of Cham. Chus was the +chief of the leaders, dispenser of treasure and worldly 1620 +riches to his brothers, the private property of his father, +after Cham fared forth from the body when death fell +to his lot. This leader of the people delivered judgments 1625 +for his race until the number of his days had run: then +the hero yielded up this world's goods and sought another +life. After that, the son of Chus, first-born of the +brothers, ruled the paternal[21] heritage, a widely known 1630 +man. So the Scriptures tell us, that he had the greatest +might and strength of all mankind, in those days: he +was a prince of the Babylonian Empire, and first of the +nobles raised, spread, and exalted its fame. At that 1635 +time one tongue was still common to all dwellers on +earth. + + + + +XX. + + +Likewise from Cam's stock sprang many descendants, +and to these numerous people great families were born.-- + +Furthermore many sons and daughters were born into 1640 +the world to Sem, noble folk, before the ruler of men +took to his death-bed, in the course of years. In this +family were good men, of whom one was called Eber, a 1645 +son of Sem: from this chief sprang a multitude of people, +whom all nations and earth-dwellers now call Hebrews. + +They set out then to take their posssesions from the +eastward, live-stock and treasure; the people were un- 1650 +animous: the vigorous heroes sought a less crowded land, +until the migrating folk in great multitudes came where +their noble leaders firmly took possession. The rulers 1655 +of the people settled with their dear followers in Sennar, +ample and broad; in the years of their life the fields +were ever verdant and the earth fair for the people at +that time, with increasing abundance of each [kind of] 1661 +treasure. + +Then many a man argued with his dear friend, one +resolute hero with another, that for their greater glory, +before the masses of the people should scatter again over 1665 +the earth, numbers of the nation in search of land, they +should build a city and raise up a tower to the stars of +heaven as a sign that they had sought Sennar fields because +the mighty fore-fathers of the race, the patriarchs, long 1670 +lived there with pleasure: with craft the people wrought, +in labor and industry, until in arrogance and rashness they +showed their skill, built a fortress and raised aloft scaling- 1675 +ladders towards heaven, mightily erected a solid stone wall +beyond man's measure, eager for glory:--[all this did] the +heroes with their hands. Then Holy God came to inspect +the work of the race of men, the fortress of the warriors, 1680 +and that beacon-tower likewise which the sons of Adam +began to rear up to the skies; and the steadfast King +achieved the prevention of this evil design, when in +wrath he distributed different languages among the 1685 +inhabitants of earth, so that they no longer had control +of their speech. They found then multitudes at the +tower with victorious strength, leaders of work in vast +battalions: but not one of the tribes understood what 1690 +another was saying. It could not be, that they should +build up the stone wall further; but they wretchedly +parted in bands separated by their speech: one had +become to another a strange race, after the Lord by the 1695 +fullness of his might had confused the speech of men. +The disunited sons of the patriarchs then parted in +four directions to seek land: behind them, both the 1700 +mighty tower of stone and the lofty city stood on Sennar +[plain] together, half-finished. + +Then the race of Sem increased and multiplied under +the clouds, until a man arose in the number of that +kingly people, a sagacious man, prudent in habit. To 1705 +this nobleman sons were born, two free children were +born in Babylon, and these chieftains, strong-minded +heroes, were called Abraham and Aaron. The Sovereign 1710 +of the Angels was friend and guide to both these leaders. +Then to Aaron was born a son, upright in life, whose +name was Loth. Thereafter the righteous heroes, +Abraham and Loth, throve nobly in the Lord's sight, as 1715 +the inheritance in the kingdom came to them from their +parents; therefore they widely glorified the sons of men +with gifts. + + + + +XXI. + + +Now the period of time had come when Abraham 1720 +brought a wife, a fair and free-born bride to his house, +where he possessed a dwelling: the woman was named +Sarra, as the books tell us. They enjoyed life thus for +many winters, held the property together in peace for 1725 +many years. But it was not vouchsafed to Abraham +as yet that his bright-faced bride should bring into the +world a guardian for his heritage, that Sarra [should +bear] sons and daughters to Abraham. + +Then Abraham's father set out with his family and 1730 +[all] his substance to pass through the Caldean country: +he wisely wished to seek the land of Canan, with his +household. The cousins chosen by the Lord, Abraham +and Loth, went with him out of their heritage. Then 1735 +the nobly-born sons of the patriarchs took up their +dwelling in Carran, the men with their wives. In his +home here Abraham's father departed this life, the 1740 +steadfast worthy: he had told 205 winters, in all, when +he fared forth ripe in years to meet his fate. + +Then the holy Guardian of the heavenly kingdom, the 1745 +Eternal Lord, spoke to Abraham: + +"Set forth now, and take thy movable possessions and +fertile herds with thee. Give up Carran, thy father's +dwelling-place. Depart, as I bid thee, O dearest of +men, and heed well my instructions, and seek the land 1750 +which I shall show thee, a broad verdant country. Thou +shalt live blessed under my protection: if any of the +dwellers on earth greet thee with evil, I will set upon 1755 +them my curse and my hatred, long-lasting affliction; +and I shall give favors, abundance of blessings, to those +who treat thee well. Through thee shall all earth- +dwellers, sons of man, receive peace and friendship, 1760 +my grace and blessing, in this world. Far spreading +under the sun shall be the number of thy race by [the +birth of] sons and daughters, until many a region of the 1765 +earth shall be filled with thy progeny." + +Then Abraham, preeminently upright, rich, and blessed +with gold and silver, set out to take his flocks and +possessions from Carran into the country of Egipt, as 1770 +the Warder of Victory, our Ruler, bade him through his +Word: they sought the land and nation of Canan. Thus +the man dear to God came to lead his wife, his dear bed- 1775 +fellow, and his nephew's wife, into this inheritance, into +happiness. He had [numbered] 75 winters when he +had to fare forth, to give up Carran and his kinsfolk. +So Abraham set out, mindful of the instructions of the 1780 +Father Almighty, to look for the broad land beyond +these nations, at his Lord's command, until prospering +in his journey the courageous man came to Siem, of the +Cananite race. Then the Lord and King of the Angels, +Sovereign of men, manifested himself to Abraham and 1785 +said: + +"This is the country, verdant and bright and adorned +with fruits, that I intend to give into the power of thy +descendants, an ample kingdom!" 1790 + +Then the good man built an altar and offered sacrifice +to the Ruler of Life and Source of Light, the Protector +of souls. Thereupon Abraham traveled still further from +the east in order to search with his eyes for the choicest 1795 +of lands (he remembered the favors, God's promises, +which the King of Victory Himself truthfully declared +to him through his holy word), until the people came with +their possessions to the place where the town is called +Bethlem: the glad-hearted chieftain and his brother's 1800 +son, pious men, went forward over the storied land from +the east, with their possessions, over the precipitous +mountain-sides, and chose a dwelling-place for them- +selves where the fields seemed bright and fair to them. 1805 + + + + +XXII. + + +There Abraham for the second time built an altar: +there he called upon God with noble words, and offered +sacrifice to the Lord of his life. Not at all sparingly +did God, through His own hand, give him reward for +this,--rich bounty, in the very place of sacrifice. 1810 + +There for a while the wise leader dwelt in his home +and enjoyed happiness, the hero with his bride, until a +frightful calamity began to press upon the Cananite +race, cruel hunger, deadly to home-staying men. Then 1815 +the wise Abraham, chosen by the Lord, went into Egypt +to seek sustenance; the sage fled before evil: the plague +was too strong. Abraham spoke,--for he saw the white 1820 +pinnacled halls of Egypt and the tall cities shining +brightly,--and then the ruler, the sagacious man, began +to instruct his wife, in these words: + +"When many haughty Egyptians shall gaze with +their eyes upon thy countenance, then should the nobly- 1825 +born chieftains suppose, O woman fair as a goddess, that +thou art my bright bed-fellow whom some one of the +warriors will wish to have for himself, then I may well +fear for myself lest some one of my foes may deprive 1830 +me of life with the edge of his sword by reason of his +amorous desire. Say then, Sarra, that thou art my +sister, my blood-relation, when the strange men ask +thee what degree of familiarity may exist between us 1835 +two foreigners, who come from so far away: hold fast +true speech from them, and thus thou shalt preserve +my life,--if the Lord of Peace, our Almighty Ruler, +grant me longer life in this world, as he did before, who 1840 +ordained these travels for us in order that we might seek +aid and secure sustenance for ourselves in Egipt." + +Thereupon Abraham, the vigorous leader, proceeded 1845 +with his possessions into Egypt, where the people were +strange to him, and friends unknown. Many haughty +men spoke of the beauty of his wife in their remarks, +men distinguished by their wealth: to many high-spirited 1850 +men, vassals of the king, his wife seemed noble in counte- +nance. They brought the news to their liege-lord, and[22] +few women did they repute fairer before the king, but +they lauded exceedingly Sarra's countenance for its 1855 +great beauty, until he bade them bring the lovely woman +to his own hall. The ruler of the people and chief of +the nobles bade them enrich Abraham with treasures. +But the Lord God became aggrieved and incensed against 1860 +Farao for his love of the woman: the joy of his house- +hold[23] bore this wrath hardly with his intimates. How- +ever, the ruler of the people perceived what the Lord +was sending upon him for punishment: urged on by 1865 +fear, the king of Egipt called Abraham to him and gave +him his bride, [returned] his wife into his keeping, bade +him seek friends elsewhere, noblemen of another race. +Then the ruler of the country ordered his vassals and 1870 +ministers to escort him out of their land again, honor- +ably, uninjured in any respect, so that he might be in +peace. + +Then Abraham took [all his] possessions out of the +country of Egypt: these worthy heroes took their wives, 1875 +both brides and rings, while they brought their flocks +to Bethlem, a familiar dwelling-place, [brought] their +womenfolk and treasures and their worldly goods. 1880 +Then they began to build there, and to erect their city +and settle their homes, and renew their prosperity. +The men built an altar in the meadows near the one that +Abraham had formerly reared to his Lord, when he +came to this western land: there the fortunate man 1885 +exalted the Name of the Eternal Lord once more; the +high-minded ruler offered sacrifice to the King of the +Angels, thanked exceedingly the Source of Light and +Life for his happiness and honor. + + + + +XXIII. + + +Abraham and Loth lived in these dwellings and had 1890 +abundance of prosperity, ruled over their heritage, until +they could not enjoy plenty together any longer in that +land and keep the possessions of both there, but the +worthy warriors had to seek broader seats elsewhere. 1895 +There were often dissensions among the followers of the +steadfast heroes, quarrels among the herdsmen. Then +the blessed Abraham, mindful of their honor, began to +speak fairly to Loth: 1900 + +"I am thy father's born brother, thou art my nephew; +quarrels shall not wax great between us, nor anger +grow: may God forbid that! But we are blood-re- +lations: between us shall nothing be except, most fit- 1905 +tingly, long-enduring love. Now bethink thee, Loth, +that about our borders dwell mighty men, powerful +peoples with lords and vassals, the Cananite and Feretite +nations, with energetic warriors: their landed property 1910 +will not make any more room for us. Therefore shall +we remove our differences from this place and seek +broader dwelling-places for ourselves: I speak what is +best for us both, son of Aron, a true saying. I leave 1915 +the choice to thee, dear friend. Ponder with thyself +and consider in thy heart in which direction thou wilt +take thy departure, go forth with thy herds: now I have +yielded thee the choice!" + +Then Loth left him to seek land by the Iordan, fertile 1920 +country: it was refreshed with waters and enriched with +fruits, bright with rivers, and like to the earthly par- +adise of God, until God the Saviour because of men's 1925 +sins gave Sodoma and Gomorra to destruction, to the +dark flames. So the son of Aron chose his dwelling- +place there, a settlement in the city of Sodoma, and +brought[24] thither all his possessions, rings and private 1930 +property from Bethlem, goods, and wrought gold. For +many years thereafter he dwelt by the Iordan: fair +dwelling-places were there, but vicious men also, hateful +to the Lord. The people of Sodoma were bold in sin, 1935 +shameful in their deeds: they brought upon themselves +eternal woe. Loth would never adopt the customs of +the country, but he always eschewed the habits of this +people, [their] evil and sin, even though he had to live 1940 +in their land, and kept himself pure, virtuous, and pa- +tient, even in this nation, just as if--mindful of [his +Lord's] teaching--he did not know what these people +were doing. + +Abraham dwelt by the habitations of the Cananites: 1945 +the King of the Angels, Lord of mankind, held him under +his protection, with abundance of good things and +worldly treasures, love and joy; therefore the races of 1950 +men, children of baptism, sing his praise widely under +the clouds. Pious and prudent, he freely obeyed the +Lord in his land as long as he enjoyed the heritage: +never need a defenceless human being ever become in +any way a terrified and fearful man before the Lord, 1955 +if he will always, until his departure from life, thank +Him heedfully in speech and in heart, by word and deed, +with wise mind after every favor.[25] + + + + +XXIV. + + +Then I found that the king of the Elamites, Orlahomar, 1960 +a pious leader, made an expedition: in aid of him Am- +brafel set forth from Sennar with a great multitude. +Four kings then set out with mighty power to seek 1965 +Sodoma and Gomorra, southward from there. Then was +the country of the men by Iordan widely besieged by +warriors, the land [was surrounded] by foes. Many +a terrified pale-cheeked maiden would have to go trem- 1970 +bling to the embrace of a stranger: the defenders of +the brides and rings would fall, weak with wounds. +Against them with warlike zeal five kings came forth 1975 +from the south, with their armies, who wished to rid +the city of Sodoma of its foes: for twelve winters before +of necessity they had had to yield tribute and pay +indemnity to the men of the north, until the people +no longer would enrich the king of the Elamites with 1980 +their own treasures, but revolted from him. + +In rage the slaughter-hordes came together: the jav- +elins were loud; the dark fowl sang among the flying +weapons, the dewy-feathered [raven] looked for the slain. 1985 +The warriors rushed on in cohorts with unfaltering cour- +age, until the nations' armies had come together widely, +from south and north, protected by their helmets. There +was bitter struggle, exchanges of deadly spears, great 1990 +tumult of war, loud din of conflict. The heroes drew +from the sheath with their hands the ring-mailed sword, +keen of edge. Then was booty easy to find for the +chieftain who before this was not readily sated with 1995 +battle! The northern men were fatal to the southern +men: the men of Sodoma and Gomorra, dispensers of +gold, were bereft of their dear allies at the shield-clash- +ing. They went forth from their homesteads to save 2000 +themselves by flight; behind them the youths of the race +fell, slain by the sword, [and] their allies [were] cleft with +the edge. The leader of the army of the Elamites had 2005 +victory in battle, was master of the battlefield. The +survivors of the weapons fled to seek fastnesses. The +enemy seized upon gold, robbed with devastation the +treasure-cities of the people, Sodoma and Gomorra. Then +misery requited the great strongholds; the maidens, 2010 +wives, and widows, deprived of friends, departed from +their homesteads. The enemy led out with them from +the city of Sodoma, with their spoils, the kinsman of +Abraham. + +We may now relate this true history further, as to +what was the fate of the war-wolves after the battle, 2015 +who carried off Loth and the goods of the people, the +treasures of the southlanders, [and] exulted in victory. + +A warrior, a survivor of the sword who was spared +in battle, escaped from them suddenly, to seek Abraham: 2020 +he reported to the Ebrew chieftain the outcome of the +fray,--the people of Sodoma sorely stricken, the nation's +wealth, and Loth's situation. Thereupon Abraham re- +ported the evil tidings to his friends; the steadfast hero 2025 +requested aid of his favorite companions, Aner, Mamre, +and thirdly Escol, saying that it would be gall to his +heart and bitterest grief if his nephew should have to 2030 +suffer slavery: bade the warriors famed in battle think of +some plan so that his dear kinsman might be freed, the +hero with his bride. In reply the three brothers, famed +in war, with great readiness assuaged his grief by their 2035 +hardy words, and pledged their troth to Abraham that +they would avenge his injury upon his foes, with him, +or else fall in battle. + +Then the holy man bade his companions take their 2040 +weapons: he found there 318 spear-bearing warriors, +loyal to their ruler, of whom he knew that every one +could well support the tawny linden-shield in an onset. 2045 +So Abraham set out with the three chieftains who had +just pledged their troth to him, and the band of their +followers. He wished to rescue his kinsman at least, +Loth, from suffering.[26] These warriors were famous: +they bore their shields forth boldly on the march. The 2050 +war-wolves, [meanwhile], had nearly reached their +camping-place: then the prudent man, the son of Thare, +spoke to his war-leaders in these words, (great was his +need!), that they[27] should advance on the enemy in two 2055 +divisions with grim conflict and hard swordplay: said, +[further], that the Holy Lord Everlasting might easily +give him success in the spear-fight. + +Then I heard how under the cover of night the heroes 2060 +ventured on into battle: the din of shields and shafts +arose in their sleeping-quarters, the slaughter of archers +and impact of battle-arrows; sharp swords smote hate- +fully under the breast of men, and the bodies of foes 2065 +fell thickly, where the exulting heroes and comrades +were bringing together the spoil. Victory, men's glory +in war, turned aside again from the battle of the north- +men. Abraham gave armed conflict and not in any 2070 +wise wrought gold, as ransom for his nephew; he slew +and felled the enemy in fair fight: to aid him, the Guard- +ian of the heavenly kingdom took [a part in the fray]. +The four armies were put to flight, [with] the kings and +leaders of the people: behind them pressed the joyful 2075 +band and [there] the heroes were slain; the others were +given over to flight,--those who had stolen the gold of +Sodom and Gomorra, and robbed the stewards: fiercely did 2080 +the uncle of Loth requite them for it. The noble leaders +of the Elamites were fleeing, bereft of power, until they +were not far from Domascus. Then Abraham set out on 2085 +the war-track to see the retreat of the wicked men. Lot +was freed, the chieftain with his possessions, [while] the +women [and] wives were restored to joy. Far and wide +they saw the birds of prey rending the murderers of free- +men in sword-slaughter. Abraham brought back again 2090 +the treasure and brides of the southlanders, the children +of the nobles nearer their homes, the maidens to their +families. Of all men living here [on earth], no one ever +achieved a more worthy military expedition with a 2095 +small force which was attacking so great a multitude. + + + + +XXV. + + +Then the people of Sodoma was southward from +there, to bear the news as to what rout of their fierce +foes had occurred. Forthwith the king of the people, +bereft of his nobles and stripped of friends, went out to +meet Abraham; he brought with him the master of the 2100 +treasure of Solomia: that was the great Melchisedec, +bishop of the people. He came with gifts to greet fairly +the prince of the warriors, [to approach] Abraham honor- 2105 +ably, and he pronounced upon him the blessing of God +and spoke thus: + +"Highly wert thou exalted among the number of heroes +before the eyes of Him who gave thee the glory of the ash- +spear in battle: that is God himself, who mightily de- +stroyed the forces of the hostile armies and let thee with 2110 +thy weapons hew out bloody paths broadly [through the +foe], regain the booty, and fell the warriors. They were +encamped by the way: nor could the withdrawing army +prevail in hand-to-hand conflict, but God put it to flight, 2115 +who with His own hands preserved thee with thy warriors +in the fight, against the terror of superior numbers, and +[so likewise] the sacred pledge [preserved thee] which thou +rightfully holdest with the Keeper of the skies." + +With his own hand the hero gave him a return for this 2120 +blessing, and Abraham bestowed upon the bishop of God +the value of every tenth part of the army's booty. Then +spoke the war-king, ruler of Sodoma, bereft of his people, +to Abraham, (to him mercy was needful): 2125 + +"Give me back the maidens of my people, whom thou +by the might of thy army hast snatched from the deadly +bonds of the foe. Keep thou the wrought gold which +formerly was the property of our people, [keep] the 2130 +herds and the treasure. Only let me lead back again +in freedom, to their hearths and desolated homes, the +children of the people, the wives and boys and wretched +widows. The young men, my companions, who should have 2135 +held the borders with me, are dead, [all] but a very few." + +Then Abraham answered him straightway, in the pres- +ence of the chieftains exalted in valor, power, and vic- +tory, and nobly said: + +"Ruler of the people, I pledge to thee this my word, 2140 +before the Holy One who is sole Master of heaven and +this earth: there is no worldly treasure that I will take +for my own, neither riches nor money of thine which I +have rescued from the [hostile] bowmen, O great king, +protector of thy nobles, lest thou oft hereafter say that 2145 +I became rich on earth through the treasure and former +wealth of the kingdom of Sodom;[28] but thou shalt +take hence the booty which I regained for thee in battle, 2150 +all except the shares of these noble warriors, Aner, and +Mamre, and Escol. I am unwilling to deprive these +warriors of their rights: for they stood by me in the +combat, and fought in your behalf. Go now and take +home the wrought gold and the beloved maidens, the 2155 +womenfolk of thy people. Thou needst not fear for +a while the attack of the hostile warriors, the battle +of the northmen, for the birds of prey sit all smeared +with blood, among the fastnesses of the mountains, well 2160 +gorged with the slaughter of the armies." + +So the king set out on his return home with the spoils +which the pious lord of the Hebrews, regardful of honor, +gave up to him. + +Then again to Abraham the High-King of Heaven 2165 +showed himself, with holy speech comforted the wise- +hearted man, and spoke to him thus: + +"Great are thy rewards. Let not now thy heart +grow idle, thou steadfast [doer] of my will. Nor needst +thou fear anyone, while thou heedest my commandment, +for with my own hands will I shelter and shield thee 2170 +during thy life-time here against every woe: thou +needst not be fearful." + + + + +XXVI. + + +Then Abraham, famed for his deeds, answered his +Lord and asked Him, in the fullness of his days: + +"O Ruler of spirits, what dost thou give me for free- 2175 +men's solace, now that I am thus solitary? I have no +need to found an ancestral seat for any sons of mine, but +after me shall my distant kinsmen dispose of my goods; +thou hast not given me a son, and therefore sorrows +weigh upon me very heavily in my heart; I myself can 2180 +not devise any counsel. My steward goes rejoicing in +his sons, and is firmly persuaded in his thoughts that +after me his sons shall be the keepers of the heritage: +they see that no children are born to me of my bride." + +To him then at once God answered: 2185 + +"Never shall thy steward possess the heritage of thy +sons: but thine own children shall hold the treasure, +when thy flesh lies [in the grave]. Behold the sky. Count +those jewels, the stars of heaven, which now freely scatter 2190 +their glorious radiance far and wide to shine brilliantly +over the broad surface of the sea. Such shall be the +multitude of thy descendants, rich in progeny. Let not +thy heart be bound by sorrow. A son shall yet be born 2195 +to thee, a child born of thy wife by ordinary birth, who +after thee shall be the keeper of the inheritance, rich in +property. Grieve no more: I am the Lord, who many +winters ago led thee out of the stronghold of Caldea 2200 +with but few followers, and promised thee a broad +dwelling-place for thy possession: I give thee now my +pledge, man of the Hebrews, that many a broad land +on this earth shall be peopled with thy progeny, regions 2205 +of the world as far as Eufrates even from the borders +of Egypt, as many men and as wide a kingdom as the +Nile cuts off and the sea bounds: all this shall thy sons 2210 +own, each of the countries, as these three waters sur- +round with their streams the lofty cities of stone, the +foamy floods [surround] the refuge of the people." + +Then Sarra was grieved at heart that no son had come 2215 +to Abraham through their wedlock, a free-born heir for +their solace; so the sorrowful one began to speak to her +husband in these words: + +"The Ruler of heaven has denied me this, that I 2220 +might augment the number of thy family under the +skies with sons of thine own. Now I am hopeless that +an heir will ever be given us together: I am too old, in +my misery. My lord, do as I bid thee. Here is a 2225 +woman, a fair damsel, an Egiptian maid in our possession: +bid her now repair to thy bed forthwith, and see if +the Lord will allow any heir for thy goods to come into 2230 +the world through this woman!" + +Then the holy man yielded to the advice of his wife, +and bade the handmaiden go to his couch as a bride.[29] 2235 +Her spirit exalted itself, when she had become pregnant +with a man-child by Abraham; stiff-necked in scorn she +began to despise her mistress, showed insolence, was +overweening, and was unwilling to endure servitude but 2240 +boldly began to resist Sarra strongly. + +Then I heard how the wife spoke to her husband in the +sorrow of her heart, with these words; sad in mind she +spoke, and said bitterly: + +"Thou dost not deal properly and rightfully with me. 2245 +Thou hast hitherto allowed it to happen that my hand- +maiden afflict me every day by deed and word, ever +since Agar entered thy bed in place of thy wife, as was +my entreaty: she shall pay for this mercilessly, if I 2250 +may still control mine own before thee, dear Abraham; +of this may the Almighty Lord of Lords be judge +between us two!" + +The wise-minded man then answered her at once in 2255 +these words: + +"Never shall I leave thee without honor, while we +both live; but thou must manage thine own maid as +pleases thy heart!" + + + + +XXVII. + + +Then Abraham's queen became unkind, wrathful in 2260 +heart towards her serving-maid, hard and cruel, spoke +bitter insults to the woman. Thereupon the latter fled +from threat and thraldom: she would not endure evil +and retribution for what she had formerly done to Sarra, 2265 +but went forth on a journey to go into the wilderness. +There a servant of glory, an angel of the Lord, found her +sorrowing; he eagerly asked her: + +"Whither do you intend to push your journey, my 2270 +poor woman? Sarre owns thy service!" + +She answered him at once: + +"Deprived of every pleasure, jeered out of the house +by the hatred of my mistress, I have fled from woes, +afflictions, and injuries. Now with tear-stained cheek +must I await my fate[30] in the wilderness, [the time] 2275 +when hunger or a wolf removes life and sorrow together +from my heart." + +Then the angel answered her: + +"Seek not thou in flight far hence to avoid thy con- 2280 +cubinage, but return again, earn honor for thyself, begin +submissively to cultivate dutifulness, become dear to +thy master. Thou shalt, Agar, bring a son into the world +to Abraham: with my word I tell thee now that this 2285 +man-child shall be called Ismahel, among men. He +shall be rough, warlike, hostile to the races of men and +to his own kinsfolk: many a one shall struggle against 2290 +him in wrath, with assault of arms. From this prince +nations shall spring, numberless peoples. Depart now +to seek thy master again: live with those who own thee!" + +In accordance with the angel's command, she at once +returned to her lord, as the holy spirit-messenger of God 2295 +bade her, in sapient speech. Thus was Ismael born to +Abraham, even when he had [lived] 86 winters in the +world. The son grew and flourished, as the angel, the 2300 +true minister of peace, had promised to the woman by +his own word. + +About thirteen years after that, the Lord and Ever- +lasting King spoke with Abraham: + +"Dear man, as I command thee, so do thou keep well +our covenant: I will to all time exalt thee in blessings. 2305 +Be thou zealously observant of my will in thy deeds: +I will still further confirm with truth the pledge which +I gave to thee as earnest of comfort, when thy spirit +grieved. Thou shalt hallow thy household: set a true 2310 +sign of victory on each one of the male sex, if thou wilt +have in me a Master or dear Friend of thy race. I shall +[always] be keeper and sustainer of this people, if thou 2315 +dost obey me in thy innermost thoughts and art willing +to fulfil my commands. In his infancy shall every +individual of the male sex in this race, about seven nights +after he comes into the world, be marked for me with 2320 +the sign of victory, or from the face of the earth be +driven far through my hostility, thrust out from his +possessions. Do as I bid: I will be true to you all, if +ye bear that sign with true faith. Thou shalt possess 2325 +a son, a child by thy wife, whom men shall all call Isaac. +Nor needst thou be ashamed of this son: but I will give +to this man-child my divine gifts, by the might of the +spirit, abundance of friends, with prosperity. He shall 2330 +receive my grace and blessing, love and favor. From +this prince shall come broad nations, shall arise many +famous warriors, keepers of kingdoms, world-kings widely 2335 +renowned." + + + + +XXVIII. + + +Then Abraham in haste laid his cheek on the earth, +and with scorn turned over these words in his mind, the +thoughts of his heart: at that period of time he himself 2340 +did not believe that Sarra, his grey-haired bride, could +bring a son into the world to him; he knew well that his +wife had already numbered at least one hundred winters, +by actual reckoning. So then, wise in years, he spoke 2345 +thus to the Lord: + +"May Ismael live according to Thy commandments, +Lord, and give thee thanks with wise and steady mind +and stout heart, doing Thy will day and night in word 2350 +and deed!" + +Then the Almighty King and Everlasting Lord an- +swered him fairly: + +"Though much worn in years, Sarra shall bring a son +into the world to thee; the future shall truly proceed in 2355 +accordance with these words here pronounced. I will now +bless with my grace Ismael, as thou art petitioner, for +thy first born, so that he may dwell many days in the +kingdom of this world with spreading progeny; be thou 2360 +sure of that! But Isaac thy son, the young child who +has not yet come into the world, I will distinguish ex- +ceedingly with abundance of joys and every kind of +riches, in his days, and certainly leave in his heart my 2365 +pledge and holy faith, and be kind to him." + +Abraham did as the Eternal bade him, set the sign +of peace on his son, by the Lord's command, and bade 2370 +every one of his household of the male sex bear that +high sign,--wise in heart, and mindful of the pledge +which God had given him as assurance of good faith,-- +and then himself received the exalted sign. The Lord 2375 +and Just King continually advanced his glory in the +kingdom of this world, with blessings: He wrought this +for him as soon as he might first perform the will of his +Master in [every] expedition....[31] + +Then the woman laughed at the Lord of Mankind not 2380 +at all mirthfully, but full of years she laid away this +promise in her mind with much scorn: she did not +believe it true that the fulfilment of this promise was to +follow. But when the Ruler of Heaven heard that the 2385 +wife of Abraham had given way to hopeless laughter, +in her bower, then the Holy God said: + +"Sarra will not believe in the truth of my word: +nevertheless this decree shall be fulfilled, as I promised 2390 +thee at first. I tell thee truth, at this very season a son +shall be born of thy wife: when I return to this same +dwelling another time, then shall my promise of increase +be fulfilled: thou shalt look upon a son, thine own child, 2395 +dear Abraham!" + + + + +XXIX. + + +Then at once, after this speech, they departed with +speed, eager to be gone; from the place of the confer- +ence, the holy spirits made their way (the power[32] of 2400 +light itself was in their midst!) until they could look +upon Sodom, the lofty city: they saw palaces tower up +above treasures, halls above red gold. Then the right- +eous Ruler of the skies began to speak with Abraham, 2405 +gave him no little information. + +"In this city I hear tumult, the din of sinners ex- +ceedingly loud, the vain-glory of those drunk with ale; +evil speech have the people, behind their walls: for the 2410 +sins of the race, of the treacherous apostates, are heavy. +I will now find out what the men are doing, O man of +the Hebrews, [to see] whether they [actually] commit +sins so grossly in their habits and thoughts as they +perversely speak of crimes and vices: sulphur and black 2415 +flame, sorely and grimly, hotly and vehemently, shall +avenge this on the heathenish people." + + + + +XXX. + + +The men with their wives were approaching their +punishment, sufferings within their walls: arrogant in +riches, they requited the Lord for their prosperity with 2420 +insult, until the Protector of spirits, the Source of Light +and Life, would tolerate their offence no longer: but to +them the steadfast King sent two strong messengers +of his, who arrived at eventide at the fortress of Sodoma, 2425 +in their traveling. At the city-gate they found the +warrior, the son of Aron, sitting by himself, so that they +appeared before the eyes of the wise man as young men. +Then the servant of the Lord arose before the spirits, 2430 +went forward to greet the strangers civilly, thought their +demeanor very proper and agreeable, and invited the +men to be his guests for the night. The noble messengers +of our Preserver answered him thus: + +"For the courtesy which you have extended to us, 2435 +accept our thanks. In this street we expect quietly +to wait for the time when the Lord shall let the sun +[go] forth again for the morning." + +Then humbly Loth[33] bowed at the feet of the strangers 2440 +and eagerly offered them the repose and refreshments +and shelter and service of his dwelling. They accepted +thankfully the benevolence of the good man, and followed +him forthwith inside his walls, as the Hebrew chieftain +invited them. There in his hall the generous wise- 2445 +souled man gave them fair hospitality, until twilight +departed: then came night, after the close of day, and +veiled with darkness the lake-streams, seas, and broad 2450 +land, and [all] the pomp of this life. Then the men of +Sodoma came, young and old, hateful to God, to demand +the strangers, with a great throng so that they surrounded 2455 +Loth and his guests by the multitude of their force; +they bade [him] lead out of the lofty hall the holy mess- +engers [and put] the men in their power; they said +openly in words that they would have intercourse with +the men shamefully, and had no regard for decency. Then 2460 +Loth, who often knew what was best, quickly arose in his +house, and went out at once; and the son of Aron, mindful +of his cunning, spoke thus over all the mass of people: + +"Here are within two spotless [maidens], my daughters: 2465 +neither of these damsels knows intercourse as yet through +sleeping with a man: do then as I bid you, and cease +from this sin. I give them both to you, before you +commit this vileness against nature, heinous evil against 2470 +the sons of men. Receive these maidens and let my +guests go free, since I will defend them against you as +well as I can, before God!" + +Thereupon the crowd, the shameless race, answered 2475 +him through common consent: + +"It seems very right and fitting that thou shouldst +depart out of this neighborhood, thou who bereft of +friends and with the step of an exile soughtest this people +from afar, in thy need: wilt thou, if thou mayst, be our 2480 +ruler here, the teacher of the people?" + +Then I heard of Loth how the heathen masses gripped +him with their hands, with hostile grasp: his guests +aided him well and the righteous strangers drew him 2485 +out of the clutches of the enemy back within the walls, +and then speedily closed fast the eyesight of every one +of the people of Sodoma standing around: the whole 2490 +crowd of citizens forthwith became blind; nor could +they, in their evil rage, break into the house after the +guests, as they intended, but the messengers of God +were [too] active for them; the stranger had power, irre- 2495 +sistible vigor, and was very severe upon the people in +[inflicting] punishment. Then the dear ministers of +peace spoke fairly to Loth, in these words: + +"If thou hast a son, or dear relative, or any friend +among these people besides these maidens whom we see 2500 +here, lead out of this city those who are dear to thee, with +great haste, and save thine own life, lest thou perish +with these law-breakers. For the Lord has commanded +us, because of the people's sins, to give over Sodoma and 2505 +Gomorra to black flame and fire, and to slay these people, +[striking] the race in their cities with deadly horrors, +and so wreak His wrath [upon them]. It has nearly +reached the appointed time. Set out on thy way, to +save thy life: the Lord is merciful to thee...."[34] 2510 + +Loth then hastily answered them: + +"I cannot, with these womenfolk, seek my safety +so far from here in a journey on foot. You manifest +to me kindness and fair friendship, you grant me grace 2515 +and good-will. I know a lofty town near here, a little +fortress: leave me there, in honor and peace, so that we +may seek safety above, in Sigor. If you will protect that 2520 +lofty fastness from the fire, we can abide in that place +unharmed, in safety, and so preserve our lives." + +Then the righteous angels answered him benevol- 2525 +ently: + +"Thou shalt be successful in this petition, now thou +speakest about that city: withdraw immediately to that +fastness. We shall keep thee in peace and safety. We +must not wreak the wrath of God upon these law- 2530 +breakers and destroy the sinful race, before thou hast +led thy children and wife likewise into Saegor." + +Then the kinsman of Abraham set out for the fastness: +the chieftain did not spare the pace for his womenfolk, 2535 +but he pushed his steps most hastily until he had brought +his wife and children to the citadel of Saegor. When the +sun rose, [when] the peaceful luminary of the nations +went forth, then, I have heard, the Master of Glory sent 2540 +sulphur out of heaven, and swart flame for the punish- +ment of men, swelling fire, since they had offended the +Lord for a long period in former days: thus the Ruler of +spirits gave them retribution. Utmost terror seized upon 2545 +the heathen race: tumult arose in the city, the outcry +of the accursed race over shameful death, just beginning. +The flame seized upon all that it found green, in the rich +city, just as around outside no small portion of the broad 2550 +earth was filled with conflagration and terror: trees +and earth's harvests turned to ashes and embers, even +as far as the avenging curse direly extended over the 2555 +broad country of the people. The devastating fire +rushing on in tumult devoured all things together, far +and wide, that men had owned in the cities of Sodoma +and Gomorra: all this, together with the people, God 2560 +the Lord destroyed. + +When Loth's wife, his bride in the city, heard the din +of fire, the death of the people, then she looked back- +ward [to see] this devastation. The Scriptures tell us +that she immediately turned into the likeness of a pillar +of salt: ever since then this statue has stood there 2565 +motion less (this is a strange story), where she incurred +this severe penalty because she would not obey the +ministers of glory in their commands: now, stiff and +erect, she will have to await her doom in that place, at 2570 +the Lord's Judgment Day, when the world has com- +pleted its [allotted] number of years. This is one of +the miracles which the King of Glory has wrought. + + + + +XXXI. + + +Then Abraham went forth alone, at dawn, so that he 2575 +again stood in the place where the pious leader had +formerly spoken with his Lord in words. He saw the +reek of death and destruction ascending widely from +the earth. Riches and feasting preoccupied [the people] +to such an extent that they had become bold in wicked 2580 +deeds, eager for sin: they forgot the Truth and God's +commandments, and who had given them prosperity +and wealth in their cities; therefore the King of the +Angels sent his fervid fire to punish them. Our faithful 2585 +Lord then remembered Abraham mercifully, the dear +man, as he often had done, and saved his kinsman, Loth, +when the multitude perished. The [latter] hero, famed +for his deeds, did not dare to tarry longer in the strong- 2590 +hold for fear of the Lord, but Loth departed from the +city with his children to seek a dwelling-place far from +the place of slaughter, until they found a cave in the +side of a high dune: there the pious Loth, dear to his 2595 +Lord, dwelt in righteousness for a great number of days, +with his two daughters....[35] + +They did thus with the drunken man: ... the elder +of the two went first to her father's bed. Nor did the 2600 +venerable man know when the two maidens ... were +with him in the manner of a bride, fast bound [as he +was] in heart, mind, and memory, drunken with wine, 2605 +so that he could not escape the enterprise of the maidens. +The young women became pregnant, and the devoted +sisters brought men-children into the world, sons to +their old father. One of these noble children was called +Moab by his mother, that daughter of Loth who was the 2610 +elder in years of life; the Scriptures tell us, the sacred +Books, that the younger called her son Ammon. From +these princes sprang numberless people, the glories of 2615 +two nations: one of these nations all earth-dwellers call +Moabites, a widely famed race; the other, men and +sons of heroes call Ammonites. + + + + +XXXII. + + +Then the brother of Aron set out with his wife to take 2620 +his possessions and his household to Abimelech. Abra- +ham told all men that Sarra was his sister, [and] thus +preserved his life by his words: he knew very well that 2625 +he had few relatives and friends among that people. +Then the king sent his ministers and bade them bring +to him [the wife of Abraham].[36] Thus for the second +time in a foreign land, the wife of Abraham was taken 2630 +from her husband to the embrace of a stranger. Then +the eternal Lord assisted him, as he had often done: +our Preserver came himself by night to where the king +lay drunken with wine. Thereupon the Lord of Truth 2635 +began to speak to the king through a dream, and threat- +ened him in wrath: + +"Thou hast taken Abraham's wife, his bride from the +hero; for that deed death shall tear thy soul from thy +breast!" + +To him thus the sinner, gorged with feasting, replied 2640 +in his sleep: + +"What! Wilt Thou ever, High King of the Angels, +through thy wrath let him be deprived of life who lives 2645 +here in righteous habits, [who] in his counsel is upright +in mind, and who asks mercy of Thyself? In her own +words, unasked, this woman told me first that she was 2650 +Abraham's sister. I have not sinned against her, nor +wrought any evil at all, up to this time!" + +Then again the Eternal Lord and True God spoke to +him straightway through that dream: + +"Give back this woman to Abraham, his wife, into 2655 +his possession, if thou wishest for life any longer in this +world, as protector of the nobles. He is good and wise, +and may himself speak with [God] and see the King of +Glory. Thou shalt die, with thy flocks and thy sub- +stance, if thou deniest his wife to the warrior: if he will 2660 +at once honestly and patiently prefer to me thy earnest +wishes, he may obtain his request that I yet allow thee +living to enjoy pleasures and prosperity in thy days, 2665 +[allow thee] in sound health [to enjoy thy] riches." + +Then the keeper of the people broke forth from sleep, +bade his councillors come to him; shaken with terror, +Abimeleh quickly told the nobles the word of the Master. +The men dreaded [as retribution] for this deed, blows 2670 +from the hand of the Lord in accordance with the dream. +The king himself bade them bring Abraham before him, +in great haste. Then the ruler of the kingdom spoke: + +"Man of the Ebrews! this wilt thou now tell me in 2675 +words: what have I done that, since thou broughtest +thy possessions into this country among us, Abraham, +thou hast thus bitterly contrived a plot against me? +Thou, a foreigner, wouldst deceive us in this country 2680 +with evil and pollute us with sin: thou saidest in plain +words that Sarra was thy sister, thy blood relation; +through that woman thou wouldst have foully put upon +me sin, measureless evil! We received thee honorably, 2685 +and in friendship gave thee a dwelling-place among this +people, land at thy pleasure: now thou makest return +and thankest us [most] ungratefully for our favors!" + + + + +XXXIII. + + +Abraham then answered: 2690 + +"I did that, not for evil nor for hostility nor for any +woe that I might bring upon thee. But by this strat- +agem, O ruler of men, I protected myself against blows +of the fierce sword, far from my kinsfolk [as I was] +Since the Holy One[37] first led me from the family of 2695 +the prince, my father, I have sought out many peoples, +strange allies, and this woman with me, destitute of +friends: I always kept this peril in mind, when some foe 2700 +should deprive me--a stranger--of my life, who wished +to have this woman for his own. Therefore I have told +warriors in plain words that Sarra was my sister, wher- 2705 +ever on this earth we have had to contend against +foreigners in our exile. I did the same thing in this +country, great king, after I chose thy protection: nor +was there any knowledge in my heart as to whether 2710 +the fear of God Almighty was in this race, when I first +came here; therefore I concealed from thy ministers and +from thyself as well as possible the true statement that +Sarra was wont to enter my bed with me as my wife." 2715 + +Then Abimaeleh began to enrich Abraham with worldly +treasures and returned his wife to him: he gave him +to boot, when he received his wife, live stock and bright +silver and serving-folk. The protector of the nobles 2720 +spoke further to Abraham, in these words: + +"Dwell with us and choose thee a dwelling-place in +this land, a noble site where it is most to thy liking: I +must have thee; be a faithful friend to us; we will give 2725 +thee riches." + +Then quickly the dispenser of treasure spoke further +to Sarra, in other words: + +"Nor need Abraham, thy lord and master, set it in +reproach against thee that thou hast trodden the ways +of my dwelling, O woman goddess-fair: for I have richly 2730 +repaired thine offence with him, with white silver. Do +not trouble yourselves to seek riches and strange friends +away from this land, but dwell here." + +Abraham did as his king bade him, and at the ruler's 2735 +behest accepted friendship, love, and peace. He was +dear to God: therefore he enjoyed tranquility happily +and proceeded under the shadow of his Creator, covered 2740 +by His protecting wings, while he lived. But God +was still angry at Abimeleh for the sin which he had +committed against Sarra and Abraham, when he sepa- +rated these two loving ones, the wife and the husband. 2745 +He received a severe penalty for this deed: for neither +free nor slave women could reward[38] the men their +masters with children, for the Lord prevented it, until +the holy Abraham began to pray Eternal God for grace 2750 +in behalf of his king. The Protector of the Angels granted +him his prayer, and restored to the king the fertility +of the free and the enslaved, men and women; again +the Ruler of the skies allowed the number of their off- 2755 +spring to increase, their prosperity and possessions: the +Almighty Keeper of Mankind became mild in heart +towards Abimeleh, as Abraham entreated Him. + +Then the Almighty Lord came to Sarra, as He Himself 2760 +promised: Our Master, the Ruler of Life, had fulfilled His +promise to the dear man and woman. A son was be- +gotten of Abraham upon his wife, whom the Prince of +the Angels named Isaac even before the mother was great 2765 +with child by the chieftain. Abraham with his own hand +set the sign upon him, as the Lord glorious in splendor +bade him, about a week from the time when his mother 2770 +brought him into the world to mankind. + + + + +XXXIV. + + +The boy grew and throve, inasmuch as noble [traits] +were native to him from his ancestors. Abraham had +[numbered] 100 years when, to his joy, his wife bore him +a son: he had waited for this for a long time, since the 2775 +Lord first through His own word foretold this day of +happiness. Now the matter so happened that his wife +once saw Ismael playing before Abraham where they +were both seated at a banquet, holy in heart, and all 2780 +their household retainers were drinking and singing. +Then the noble woman spoke, as wife to husband: + +"Forgive me, my dear lord, keeper of the ring! But +bid Agar depart elsewhere, and take Ismael with her. 2785 +We should no longer be together, for my pleasure, if I +might have my way. Never shall Ismael share the +heritage with Isaac, my own son, after thee, when thou +yieldest up thy spirit from the body." 2790 + +Then was Abraham heavy at heart, because he must +drive away his own son into exile; then speedily the +True God came to his aid, for He knew that the heart +of the man was in dire straits. The King of the Angels, 2795 +the Eternal Lord, spoke to Abraham: + +"Let the sorrow and heart-felt grief slip from thy +breast, and obey the woman, thy wife. Bid both Agar +and Ismael to go away, [send] the boy from thy home. 2800 +I will make his race far-spreading and powerful in the +number of its sons, prosperous in blessings, as I promised +thee by my word." + +Then the man obeyed his Master and drove from his +home the sad-minded pair, [drove] from his patrimony 2805 +the woman and his own son....[39] + +"Clear it is and manifest that the True God, the King +of Glory, is on thy side, since he gives thee the victory, +with wise power, and strengthens thy heart[40] with 2810 +divine gifts. Therefore thou hast succeeded hitherto +in whatsoever thou hast begun to perform against +friend or foe, in word or deed. The Lord our Master +thrusteth forward thy desires with His own hands: +that is widely known among men. I pray thee now, 2815 +chief of the Ebrews, by my words, to give me a faithful +assurance of thy pledge that thou wilt be a true friend +to me, in return for the good things which I have given 2820 +for thy glory, since thou camest solitary from afar into +this country with the tread of an exile. Requite me +now with thy favor, so that I may not be sparing of land +and pleasure to thee. Be propitious now to this people 2825 +and city of mine, if Our Almighty Lord who holdeth the +fates will grant that thou mayst further distribute riches +and pleasing treasures, and set up thy landmarks, among 2830 +the warriors in this country." + +Then Abraham gave pledges to Abimeleh that he would +[do] thus. + + + + +XXXV. + + +After this the holy son of Thare, chief of the Ebrews, +was a dweller in the Filistine nation for a long time, 2835 +alone amid strangers. The Lord of the Angels showed +him a dwelling-place which the men dwelling in the city +called the land of Bersaba. There the pious man built +a high hall, constructed a place of shelter and planted 2840 +a grove, erected an altar and on the sacrificial stone +made an offering, an oblation, at once, to his Master +who had given him a prosperous life under the sky. + +Then the powerful King began to try this hero, 2845 +tested stringently what the noble one's fortitude was, +and spoke to him in stern words with his voice: + +"Go forth now speedily, Abraham, hasten thy steps, 2850 +and take with thee thine own child. Thou shalt thyself +offer up Isaac to me, thy son as a sacrifice. After thou +ascendest on foot the steep dune, the bordering circle of +that high land which I shall show thee from here, there 2855 +thou shalt prepare a funeral pyre, the death-pile of thy +son, and then thyself sacrifice thy son with the edge +of the sword and then burn his dear body with black +flame, and thus make offering to me." + +He did not decline the expedition, but straightway +began to hasten the procedure: the word of the King 2860 +of Angels was sacred to him, and his Master was beloved. +Then the pious Abraham forsook his nightly repose, +with no resistance at all to the command of the Saviour, +but the holy man girded himself with his grey sword 2865 +and declared that the fear of the Keeper of Spirits +dwelt in his breast. Worn with age, the dispenser of +gold began to harness his asses, and bade two young men +go with him: his own son was the third and he himself +the fourth. Without delay he then set out to lead Isaac 2870 +from his own home, the ungrown child, as the Lord +bade him; hastened exceedingly and hurried forth on +the way, as the Lord showed him the paths over the +wastes, until the glorious beginning of the third day 2875 +arose across deep water. There the worthy man saw +a high dune rise, as the King of Glory had foretold to +him. So Abraham spoke to his servants: + +"My men! Remain ye here in this place. We shall 2880 +return, after we have offered to the King of Spirits what +was entrusted to us both." + +The noble man then departed with his own son toward 2885 +the designated spot which the Lord showed him, striding +through the forest; the son bore the wood, the father +fire and sword. Then the man young in years began +to ask Abraham about the affair, in these words: + +"We have here fire and sword, my lord: where is the 2890 +noble victim that you expect to bring as a burnt-offering +to God?" + +Abraham replied (he had once for all decided that he +would do as the Lord directed him): + +"That the True King, Guardian of mankind, will 2895 +himself provide, as it seemeth to him meet." + +Then with unfaltering purpose he ascended the steep +dune, with his son, as the Eternal had bidden him, until +he stood on the crest of the high land, on the [spot][41] +which the mighty, faithful Lord had shown him in his 2900 +words. Forthwith he began to build the funeral-pyre +and kindle the fire, and he bound his son hand and foot, +and then laid young Isaac on the pile, and then straight- +way grasped the sword by the hilt: he was resolved to 2905 +kill his son with his own hands and allay the flames with +his child's blood. + +At that moment a minister of God, one of the angels, +called Abraham from above, with a loud voice. Motion- +less he answered the angel and awaited the herald's 2910 +speech. To him then forthwith God's glorious spirit- +messenger spoke from above, out of heaven, in these +words: + +"Beloved Abraham! Do not slay thine own son, but +take the boy alive from the pile, thy child. The God 2915 +of Glory has spared him. Prince of the Ebrews, through +the holy hand of the King of Heaven thou shalt thyself +receive recompense and true rewards of victory, ample +gifts: the Keeper of Spirits will enrich thee with blessings, 2920 +because his peace and favor were dearer to thee than +thine own child." + +The pyre stood there blazing. The Lord of mankind +had made joyful the breast of Abraham, kinsman of +Loth, when he gave him back his son, Isaac, alive. Then 2925 +the holy hero looked about over his shoulder, and there +not far from him the brother of Aron beheld a ram +standing alone, caught fast in the thorn-bushes. Abra- +ham took this and laid it on the pyre with great zeal, 2930 +in place of his own son, brandished the sword, and dec- +orated the burnt-offering, the smoking altar, with the +blood of the ram, offered that oblation to God, [and fin- +ally] gave thanks for these blessings and for all those[42] +mercies which, late and early, the Lord had bestowed 3935 +upon him....[43] + + + + +NOTES + + +[Footnote 1: Thorpe's translation of the _Genesis_, published with his +edition, in 1828, was not accessible to the present writer and +presumably will not be accessible to the general public, so that on the +mere score of availability it seems high time for the appearance of +another translation; moreover, in the last eighty-five years critical +scholarship has produced a greatly improved text of the poem.] + +[Footnote 2: Aside from necessary omissions made for _Genesis B_, the +Sections are numbered consecutively in this translation (regardless of +vagaries in the original MS. numbering), on the assumption that each +illuminated capital in the MS. was intended to indicate the beginning of +a new Section. After the excision of _Genesis B_, the numbering has been +resumed with X instead of XV, because the XIII at line 440 in the MS. +must really represent VIII.--Cf. Note 8, page 59, inf. (page 199, inf.)] + +[Footnote 3: ll. 39b-41a. _Wraecna_, gen. pl. with _bidan_, = _outcasts_; I +take _weardas_ as in apposition with it (the acc. being either a scribal +error or an anacoluthon), and then translate _wraecna_ as an adjective +for the sake of idiomatic fluency. For _gasta weardas_ as an epithet for +angels, though then unfallen, cf. line 12a, sup.--The passage has given +scholars much trouble and is unsatisfactory, at best.] + +[Footnote 4: line 63b. I take aeethele as a form of aeethelu = nobilitas, +principatus, natales, origo, genus, etc. Grein's _Sprachschatz_, 1.52.] + +[Footnote 5: line 168a. Three pages seem to be missing in the MS. +Doubtless the remaining events of the third day, with those of the +fourth, fifth, and perhaps first part of the sixth, days, including the +creation of man, (i.e., apparently the contents of Gen. 1.11-2.17, +incl.) were retold in these pages.] + +[Footnote 6: line 186b. This line is apparently imperfect, metrically, +for the second hemistich seems to be wanting. As the sense is complete, +without emendation, I have not followed the various scholars who would +insert after "Adam's bride" some such clause as, "Whom God named Eve."] + +[Footnote 7: ll. 221-224a. The text here is corrupt and scholars differ +widely in their conjectural emendations and interpretations. Since none +of their versions is satisfactory or convincing, I venture upon an +independent reading. _Hebeleac_, of course, is the Scriptural Havilah +(Gen. 2.11); _Fison_ is obviously Pison, and _Geon_, 230b inf., is +Gihon.] + +[Footnote 8: ll. 226, 227a. I construe _the best_ with _gold and gems_, +rather than with _sons of men_, because of Gen. 2.12.] + +[Footnote 9: ll. 235-851. After line 234 there is a break in the MS. +Sievers has shown that the following 617 lines, called _Genesis B_, were +written and interpolated later, by a different hand, and have Old Saxon +affiliations. _Genesis B_ describes the Fall of Man and also gives a new +version of the revolt and overthrow of Satan. _Genesis A_ begins again, +at line 852, with the conversation between Adam and Eve and Jehovah +(Gen. 3.8 ff.).] + +[Footnote 10: line 872. I follow the divisions of the MS. This line +begins with the tenth large decorative initial, the others having +occurred at ll. 1, 82, 135, 246, 389, 442, 547, 684, and 821. Where the +editors so widely disagree as to the proper subdivisions of the poem, it +seems safer to follow the original initializing (but not the marginal +numbering of the original MS.: this skips from VII to XIII at line +440--doubtless accidentally substituting X for V--and is otherwise +irregular). Cf. footnote, page vi, sup.--For lines 869-70, cf. _Jour. +Eng. Germ. Phil._, 12.257.] + +[Footnote 11: line 1022. A hemistich seems to be missing here, +metrically.] + +[Footnote 12: line 1125. A hemistich seems to be missing here, +metrically.] + +[Footnote 13: line 1128. I here adopt Grein's emendation, reading _leod_ +for _leof_.] + +[Footnote 14: line 1137. Cf. Gen. 4.26, with cross-references, +alternative translation, etc.] + +[Footnote 15: line 1150. I follow Grein in supplying _wintra_ to +complete a metrically imperfect line.] + +[Footnote 16: line 1199. A hemistich seems to be missing here, +metrically; and surely the sense requires the interpolation of several +lines, to record the birth of Methuselah in Enoch's 65th year. Cf. Gen. +5.21.] + +[Footnote 17: line 1211. We may restore the last word of this line, +_fan_ in the MS., either as tautological _frean_, with Dietrich, or as +tautological _feran_, with Grein.] + +[Footnote 18: line 1405. I follow Dietrich in reading +_edniowe = self-renewing_, for the meaningless _edmonne_ in the MS.] + +[Footnote 19: line 1492. This difficult passage may be clarified by +reading _ethryethe = strength, copious power_, in place of the meaningless +_ethridda = third_, in the MS., and at the same time making _þrymme_ the +object of _haefde_ (reading _þrymmas_, if necessary).] + +[Footnote 20: line 1549. At least one line is missing, in the MS. here. +I have healed the breach by altering the case of _waerfaest metod_, in +preference to supplying conjectural material.] + +[Footnote 21: line 1628a. The difficulty here may be obviated, with +slight emendation, by letting _Faederne_ modify _yrfestole_, and changing +_breether_, as a genitive plural, to _broethra_.] + +[Footnote 22: ll. 1852b-1853. I follow Dietrich, who seems to me to make +the best of this bad business.] + +[Footnote 23: line 1862b. _Haegstealdra wyn_ refers to Pharaoh, of +course.] + +[Footnote 24: line 1929a. A hemistich is missing here, in the MS., and a +verb must be supplied; I adopt Grein's suggestion, _laedde_.] + +[Footnote 25: line 1956b. The alliteration is defective, unless a word +be supplied; but the sense may be preserved, without emendation, by +construing _aefter_ with _sped_.] + +[Footnote 26: line 2047a. Metrically, a hemistich seems to be missing.] + +[Footnote 27: line 2055a. Metrically, a word or two seem to be missing.] + +[Footnote 28: line 2148b. Metrically, a hemistich seems to be missing.] + +[Footnote 29: line 2234b. _Larum_ here seems to be tautological, perhaps +a scribal error. It might be taken with _bryde_, in an absolute +construction: _after the example_, or _in the manner, of a bride_. The +reading _lastum_ is supported by line 2715a.] + +[Footnote 30: line 2275b. I take _witodes_ here as equivalent to +_wyrdes_: cf. Sievers' "OE. Grammar," ed. A.S. Cook, 1903, 269, N. 5.] + +[Footnote 31: line 2379. Grein remarks that a page is missing here from +the MS.] + +[Footnote 32: line 2400b. I read here _maegn_ for _maeg_;--cf. line 2494b. +Or, retaining _maeg_, the line might be translated: "The Father of Light +Himself was" etc. Cf. Gen. 18.1, 16.] + +[Footnote 33: line 2439b. Defective metre and sense, owing to the loss +of a hemistich, but the sense is complete. Grein's suggestion, _feoll on +foldan_, adds nothing to the following _hnah_.] + +[Footnote 34: line 2510. A passage is missing here in the MS. Cf. +2568b-2569a; and the XXXVII at 2574, after the XXXV at 2417.] + +[Footnote 35: lines 2597, 2598, 2601b-2602a. There are several lacunae +here, in the MS.] + +[Footnote 36: line 2628b. Some words are evidently missing here. In the +brackets I give the emendation supported by most scholars.] + +[Footnote 37: line 2695b. I follow most of the editors in taking _hyrde_ +as _family_ and _frean_ as an appositive with _faeder_.] + +[Footnote 38: line 2747b. Whatever the precise form of emendation to be +adopted, this is certainly the sense of the word and passage.] + +[Footnote 39: line 2805. A passage is missing here, in the MS.] + +[Footnote 40: line 2810b. A hemistich is missing here, metrically.] + +[Footnote 41: line 2899a. This word (_stowe_) is Dietrich's obviously +correct emendation.] + +[Footnote 42: line 2934a. Grein's emendation, _saeletha_ = _prosperity_, +helps the metre but not the sense. I do not adopt it.] + +[Footnote 43: line 2935. In the MS., _Genesis_ ends here and _Exodus_ +follows at once; as 28 Chapters of the Biblical Genesis are passed over, +it seems probable that several pages in the MS. of the poem have been +lost or were not transcribed.] + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Genesis A, by Anonymous + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GENESIS A *** + +***** This file should be named 15612.txt or 15612.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/6/1/15612/ + +Produced by David Starner, Jason Isbell and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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