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+********The Project Gutenberg Etext of Codex Junius 11********
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+Codex Junius 11
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+August, 1996  [Etext #618]
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+
+
+Codex Junius 11
+
+
+
+
+
+This file contains translations from the Anglo-Saxon of the
+following works: "Genesis A", "Genesis B", "Exodus", "Daniel",
+and "Christ and Satan".  All are works found in the manuscript of
+Anglo-Saxon verse known as "Junius 11."
+
+These works were originally written in Anglo-Saxon, sometime
+between the 7th and 10th Centuries A.D.  Although sometimes
+ascribed to the poet Caedmon (fl. late 7th Century), it is
+generally thought that these poems do not represent the work of
+one single poet.
+
+
+
+
+
+This electronic edition was proofed, edited, and prepared by
+Douglas B. Killings (DeTroyes@AOL.COM), December 1995.
+
+
+
+
+
+BIBLIOGRAPHY:
+
+Other Translations --
+
+Bradley, S.A.J.: "Anglo-Saxon Poetry" (Everyman Press, London,
+1982)
+
+
+Critical Editions --
+
+Doane, A.N. (ed.): "Genesis A: A New Critical Edition"
+(University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, 1978)
+
+Doane, A.N. (ed.): "The Saxon Genesis: An Edition of the West
+Saxon Genesis B and the Old Saxon Vatican Genesis" (University of
+Wisconsin Press, Madison, 1991)
+
+Dobbie, Elliot VanKirk (ed.): "The Anglo-Saxon Poetic Records,
+vol. I - The Junius Manuscript" (Columbia University Press, New
+York, 1937)
+
+Farrell, R.T. (ed.): "Daniel and Azarias" (Methuen & Co. Ltd.,
+London, 1974)
+
+Tolkein, J.R.R. (ed.): "The Old English Exodus" (Oxford
+University Press, Oxford, 1981)
+
+
+
+
+
+GENESIS (Genesis A & B)
+
+NOTE: This work is generally believed to be a composite of two
+separate poems, usually referred to as "Genesis A" (or "The
+Earlier Genesis") and "Genesis B" (or "The Later Genesis"). 
+"Genesis A" is the work at lines #1-234 and #852-2935; "Genesis
+B" is interpolated into "Genesis A" at lines #235-851.
+
+The reason for this interpolation is not known.  Perhaps the
+original compiler preferred the version of the story presented in
+"Genesis B", or perhaps the text of "Genesis A" from which he was
+working with was missing this section.  Adding to this confusion
+is evidence that "Genesis B" appears to be a translation from an
+earlier and separate Old Saxon retelling of the biblical "Book of
+Genesis", a fragment of which (corresponding to lines #791-817 of
+"Genesis B") survives.
+
+"Genesis", like the other poems of "Codex Junius 11", is not a
+direct translation into Anglo-Saxon of the Old Testament "Book of
+Genesis".  Rather, it is an effort to retell the story in the
+poetry and style of the Germanic Epic, a style still popular with
+the Anglo-Saxons at the time "Junius 11" was compiled.
+
+--DBK
+
+
+
+LIBER I
+
+I
+
+(ll. 1-28) Right is it that we praise the King of heaven, the
+Lord of hosts, and love Him with all our hearts.  For He is great
+in power, the Source of all created things, the Lord Almighty. 
+Never hath He known beginning, neither cometh an end of His
+eternal glory.  Ever in majesty He reigneth over celestial
+thrones; in righteousness and strength He keepeth the courts of
+heaven which were established, broad and ample, by the might of
+God, for angel dwellers, wardens of the soul.  The angel legions
+knew the blessedness of God, celestial joy and bliss.  Great was
+their glory!  The mighty spirits magnified their Prince and sang
+His praise with gladness, serving the Lord of life, exceeding
+blessed in His splendour.  They knew no sin nor any evil; but
+dwelt in peace for ever with their Lord.  They wrought no deed in
+heaven save right and truth, until the angel prince in pride
+walked in the ways of error.  Then no longer would they work
+their own advantage, but turned away from the love of God.  They
+boasted greatly, in their banded strength, that they could share
+with God His glorious dwelling, spacious and heavenly bright.
+
+(ll. 28-46) Then sorrow came upon them, envy and insolence and
+pride of the angel who first began that deed of folly, to plot
+and hatch it forth, and, thirsting for battle, boasted that in
+the northern borders of heaven he would establish a throne and a
+kingdom.  Then was God angered and wrathful against that host
+which He had crowned before with radiance and glory.  For the
+traitors, to reward their work, He shaped a house of pain and
+grim affliction, and lamentations of hell.  Our Lord prepared
+this torture-house of exiles, deep and joyless, for the coming of
+the angel hosts. Well He knew it lay enshrouded in eternal night,
+and filled with woe, wrapped in fire and piercing cold,
+smoke-veils and ruddy flame.  And over that wretched realm He
+spread the brooding terror of torment.  They had wrought grievous
+wrong together against God.  Grim the reward they gained!
+
+(ll. 47-77) Fierce of heart, they boasted they would take the
+kingdom, and easily.  But their hope failed them when the Lord,
+High King of heaven, lifted His hand against their host.  The
+erring spirits, in their sin, might not prevail against the Lord,
+but God, the Mighty, in His wrath, smote their insolence and
+broke their pride, bereft these impious souls of victory and
+power and dominion and glory; despoiled His foes of bliss and
+peace and joy and radiant grace, and mightily avenged His wrath
+upon them to their destruction.  His heart was hardened against
+them; with heavy hand He crushed His foes, subdued them to His
+will, and, in His wrath, drove out the rebels from their ancient
+home and seats of glory.  Our Lord expelled and banished out of
+heaven the presumptuous angel host.  All-wielding God dismissed
+the faithless horde, a hostile band of woeful spirits, upon a
+long, long journey.  Crushed was their pride, their boasting
+humbled, their power broken, their glory dimmed.  Thenceforth
+those dusky spirits dwelt in exile.  No cause had they to laugh
+aloud, but, racked with pangs of hell, they suffered pain and woe
+and tribulation, cloaked with darkness, knowing bitter anguish, a
+grim requital, because they sought to strive with God.
+
+(ll. 78-81) Then was there calm as formerly in heaven, the kindly
+ways of peace.  The Lord was dear to all, a Prince among His
+thanes, and glory was renewed of angel legions knowing
+blessedness with God.
+
+
+II
+
+(ll. 82-91) The citizens of heaven, the home of glory, dwelt
+again in concord.  Strife was at an end among the angels, discord
+and dissension, when those warring spirits, shorn of light, were
+hurled from heaven.  Behind them stretching wide their mansions
+lay, crowned with glory, prospering in grace in God's dominion, a
+sunny, fruitful land, empty of dwellers, when the accursed
+spirits reached their place of exile within Hell's prison-walls.
+
+(ll. 92-102) Then our Lord took counsel in the thoughts of His
+heart how He might people, with a better host, the great
+creation, the native seats and gleaming mansions, high in heaven,
+wherefrom these boastful foes had got them forth.  Therefore with
+mighty power Holy God ordained, beneath the arching heavens, that
+earth and sky and the far-bounded sea should be established,
+earth-creatures in the stead of those rebellious foes whom He had
+cast from heaven.
+
+(ll. 103-119) As yet was nought save shadows of darkness; the
+spacious earth lay hidden, deep and dim, alien to God, unpeopled
+and unused.  Thereon the Steadfast King looked down and beheld
+it, a place empty of joy.  He saw dim chaos hanging in eternal
+night, obscure beneath the heavens, desolate and dark, until this
+world was fashioned by the word of the King of glory.  Here first
+with mighty power the Everlasting Lord, the Helm of all created
+things, Almighty King, made earth and heaven, raised up the sky
+and founded the spacious land.  The earth was not yet green with
+grass; the dark waves of the sea flowed over it, and midnight
+darkness was upon it, far and wide.
+
+(ll. 119-134) Then in radiant glory God's holy spirit moved upon
+the waters with wondrous might.  The Lord of angels, Giver of
+life, bade light shine forth upon the spacious earth.  Swiftly
+was God's word fulfilled; holy light gleamed forth across the
+waste at the Creator's bidding.  Over the seas the Lord of
+victory divided light from darkness, shadow from radiant light. 
+The Lord of life gave both a name.  By the word of God the
+gleaming light was first called day.  And in the beginning of
+creation was God well pleased.  The first day saw the dark and
+brooding shadows vanish throughout the spacious earth.
+
+
+III
+
+(ll. 135-143) The day departed, hasting over the dwellings of
+earth.  And after the gleaming light the Lord, our maker, thrust
+on the first of evenings.  Murky gloom pressed hard upon the
+heels of day; God called it night.  Our Lord sundered them, one
+from the other; and ever since they follow out the will of God to
+do it on the earth.
+
+(ll. 143-153) Then came a second day, light after darkness.  And
+the Lord of life ordained a pleasant firmament amid the waters. 
+Our Lord sundered the seas and established the heavens.  By His
+word the King, Almighty God, raised them above the earth.  The
+waters were divided under the heavens by His holy might; the
+waters were sundered from the waters, under the firmament.
+
+(ll. 154-168) Then came hasting over the earth the third fair
+morning.  Not yet were the wide ways and spacious tracts useful
+unto God, but the land lay covered by the deep.  The Lord of
+angels, by His word, commanded that the waters come together,
+which now beneath the heavens hold their course and place
+ordained.  Then suddenly, wide-stretching under heaven, lay the
+sea, as God gave bidding.  The great deep was sundered from the
+land.  The Warden of life, the Lord of hosts, beheld the dry
+ground far outspread.  And the King of glory called it earth. 
+For the ocean-billows and the wide-flung sea He set a lawful path
+and lettered them....
+
+((LACUNA -- two to three leaves missing))
+
+
+IV
+
+(ll. 169-191) ....It did not seem good to the Lord of heaven that
+Adam should longer be alone as warden and keeper of this new
+Paradise.  Wherefore the King, Almighty God, wrought him an
+helpmeet; the Author of life made woman and brought her unto the
+man whom He loved.  He took the stuff of Adam's body, and
+secretly drew forth a rib from his side.  He was fast asleep in
+peaceful slumber; he knew no pain nor any pang; there came no
+blood from out the wound, but the Lord of angels drew forth from
+his body a growing rib, and the man was unhurt.  Of this God
+fashioned a lovely maid, breathing into her life and an eternal
+soul.  They were like unto the angels.  The bride of Adam was a
+living spirit.  By God's might both were born into the world in
+the loveliness of youth.  They knew no sin nor any evil, but in
+the hearts of both there burned the love of God.
+
+(ll. 192-195) Then the Gracious King, Lord of all human kind,
+blessed these two, male and female, man and wife, and spake this
+word:
+
+(ll. 196-205) "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the green earth
+with your seed and increase, sons and daughters.  And ye shall
+have dominion over the salt sea, and over all the world.  Enjoy
+the riches of earth, the fish of the sea, and the fowls of the
+air.  To you is given power over the herds which I have hallowed,
+and the wild beasts, and over all living things that move upon
+the earth; all living things, which the depths bring forth
+throughout the sea, shall be subject unto you."
+
+((LACUNA -- One or more leaves missing))
+
+(ll. 206-234) And our Lord beheld the beauty of His works and the
+abundance of all fruits of this new creation: Paradise lay
+pleasant and inviting, filled with goodly store and endless
+blessings.  Bountifully a running stream, a welling spring,
+watered that pleasant land.  Not yet did clouds, dark with wind,
+carry the rains across the spacious earth; nathless the land lay
+decked with increase.  Out from this new Paradise four pleasant
+brooks of water flowed.  All were divisions of one beauteous
+stream, sundered by the might of God when He made the earth, and
+sent into the world.  And one of these the mortal dwellers of
+earth called Pison, which compasseth the land of Havilah about
+with shining waters.  And in that land, as books tell us, the
+sons of men from far and near find out the best of gold and
+precious gems.  And the second floweth round about the land and
+borders of the Ethiopians, a spacious kingdom.  Its name is
+Gihon.  The third is Tigris, whose abundant stream lieth about
+the limits of Assyria.  Likewise also the fourth, which now
+through many a folk-land men call Euphrates....
+
+((LACUNA -- At least one, possibly two, leaves missing))
+
+
+(Beginning of "Genesis B")
+
+V
+
+(ll. 235-236) "...Eat freely of the fruit of every other tree.
+From that one tree refrain.  Beware of its fruit.  And ye shall
+know no dearth of pleasant things."
+
+(ll. 237-245) Eagerly they bowed them down before the King of
+heaven, and gave Him thanks for all, for His teachings and
+counsels.  And He gave them that land to dwell in.  Then the Holy
+Lord, the Steadfast King, departed into heaven.  And the
+creatures of His hand abode together on the earth.  They had no
+whit of care to grieve them, but only to do the will of God for
+ever.  Dear were they unto God as long as they would keep His
+holy word.
+
+
+VI
+
+(ll. 246-260) The Holy Lord, All-wielding God, with mighty hand
+had wrought ten angel-orders in whom He trusted well, that they
+would do Him service, and work His will.  Therefore God gave them
+reason, with His own hands shaped them, and stablished them in
+bliss.  But one He made so great and strong of heart, He let him
+wield such power in heaven next unto God, so radiant-hued He
+wrought him, so fair his form in heaven which God had given, that
+he was like unto the shining stars.  He should have sung his
+Maker's praise, and prized his bliss in heaven.  He should have
+thanked his Lord for the great boon He showered on him in the
+heavenly light, and let him long enjoy.  But he turned him to a
+worse thing, and strove to stir up strife against the Highest
+Lord of heaven, who sitteth on the throne of glory.
+
+(ll. 261-276) Dear was he to our Lord.  Nor could it long be hid
+from God that pride was growing in His angel's heart.  He set
+himself against his Leader, scoffed at God with boasting, and
+would not serve Him.  He said his form was beautiful and bright,
+gleaming and fair of hue.  Nor could he find it in his heart to
+serve the Lord God, or be subject to Him.  It seemed to him that
+he had greater strength and larger following than Holy God might
+have.  Many words the angel spake in his presumption.  By his own
+power alone he thought to build a stronger throne and mightier in
+heaven.  He said his heart was urging him to toil, to build a
+stately palace in the north and west.  He said he doubted in his
+heart if he would still be subject unto God:
+
+(ll. 277-291) "Why should I slave?" quoth he. "I need not serve a
+master.  My hands are strong to work full many a wonder.  Power
+enough have I to rear a goodlier throne, a higher in the heavens. 
+Why should I fawn for His favour, or yield Him such submission? 
+I may be God as well as He!  Brave comrades stand about me;
+stout-hearted heroes who will not fail me in the fray.  These
+valiant souls have chosen me their lord.  With such peers one may
+ponder counsel, and gain a following.  Devoted are these friends
+and faithful-hearted; and I may be their lord and rule this
+realm.  It seemeth no wise right to me that I should cringe a
+whit to God for any good.  I will not serve Him longer."
+
+(ll. 292-298) Now when God had heard all this, how His angel was
+beginning to make presumptuous head against his Leader, speaking
+rash words of insolence against his Lord, needs must he make
+atonement for that deed, endure the woe of strife, and bear his
+punishment, most grievous of all deaths.  And so doth every man
+who wickedly thinketh to strive with God, the Lord of might.
+
+(ll. 299-319) Then Almighty God, High Lord of heaven, was filled
+with wrath, and hurled him from his lofty throne.  He had gained
+his Master's hate, and lost His favour.  God's heart was hardened
+against him.  Wherefore he needs must sink into the pit of
+torment because he strove against the Lord of heaven.  He
+banished him from grace and cast him into hell, into the deep
+abyss where he became a devil.  The Fiend and all his followers
+fell from heaven; three nights and days the angels fell from
+heaven into hell.  God changed them all to devils.  Because they
+heeded not His deed and word, therefore Almighty God hurled them
+into darkness, deep under earth, crushed them and set them in the
+mirk of hell.  There through the never-ending watches of the
+night the fiends endure an unremitting fire.  Then at the dawn
+cometh an east wind, and bitter frost, ever a blast of fire or
+storm of frost.  And each must have his share of suffering
+wrought for his punishment.  Their world was changed when God
+filled full the pit of hell with His foes!
+
+(ll. 320-322) But the angels who kept their faith with God dwelt
+in the heights of heaven.
+
+
+VII
+
+(ll. 322-336) The other fiends who waged so fierce a war with God
+lay wrapped in flames.  They suffer torment, hot and surging
+flame in the midst of hell, broad-stretching blaze of fire and
+bitter smoke, darkness and gloom, because they broke allegiance
+unto God.  Their folly and the angel's pride deceived them.  They
+would not heed the word of God.  Great was their punishment! 
+They fell, through folly and through pride, to fiery depths of
+flame in hell.  They sought another home devoid of light and
+filled with fire -- a mighty flaming death.  The fiends perceived
+that through the might of God, because of their presumptuous
+hearts and boundless insolence, they had won a measureless woe.
+
+(ll. 337-355) Then spake their haughty king, who formerly was
+fairest of the angels, most radiant in heaven, beloved of his
+Leader and dear unto his Lord, until they turned to folly, and
+Almighty God was moved to anger at their wantonness, and hurled
+him down to depths of torment on that bed of death.  He named him
+with a name, and said their leader should be called from
+thenceforth Satan.  He bade him rule the black abyss of hell in
+place of striving against God.  Satan spake -- who now must needs
+have charge of hell and dwell in the abyss -- in bitterness he
+spake who once had been God's angel, radiant-hued in heaven,
+until his pride and boundless arrogance betrayed him, so that he
+would not do the bidding of the Lord of hosts.  Bitterness was
+welling in his heart; and round him blazed his cruel torment. 
+These words he spake:
+
+(ll. 355-367) "This narrow place is little like those other
+realms we knew, on high in heaven, allotted by my Lord, though
+the Almighty hath not granted us to hold our state, or rule our
+kingdom.  He hath done us wrong to hurl us to the fiery depths of
+hell, and strip us of our heavenly realm.  He hath ordained that
+human kind shall settle there.  That is my greatest grief that
+Adam -- wrought of earth -- should hold my firm-set throne and
+live in joy, while we endure this bitter woe in hell.
+
+(ll. 368-388) "Alas!  could I but use my hands and have my
+freedom for an hour, one winter hour, then with this host I would
+--  But bands of iron crush me down, the bondage of my chains is
+heavy.  I am stripped of my dominion.  Firmly are hell's fetters
+forged upon me.  Above me and below a blaze of fire!  Never have
+I seen a realm more fatal -- flame unassuaged that surges over
+hell.  Ensnaring links and heavy shackles hold me.  My ways are
+trammelled up; my feet are bound; my hands are fastened.  Closed
+are the doors of hell, the way cut off.  I may not escape out of
+my bonds, but mighty gyves of tempered iron, hammered hot, press
+hard upon me.  God hath set His foot upon my neck.  So I know the
+Lord of hosts hath read the purpose of my heart, and knew full
+well that strife would grow between our host and Adam over the
+heavenly realm, had I the freedom of my hands.
+
+
+VIII
+
+(ll. 389-400) "But now we suffer throes of hell, fire and
+darkness, bottomless and grim.  God hath thrust us out into the
+black mists.  He cannot charge upon us any sin or evil wrought
+against Him in His realm!  Yet hath He robbed us of the light and
+cast us into utter woe.  Nor may we take revenge, nor do Him any
+evil because He stripped us of the light.  He hath marked out the
+borders of the world, and there created man in His own image,
+with whom He hopes again to people heaven, with pure souls.  We
+needs must ponder earnestly to wreak this grudge on Adam, if we
+may, and on his children, and thwart His will if so we may
+devise.
+
+(ll. 401-407) "No longer have I any hope of light wherein He
+thinketh long to joy, in bliss among His angel hosts; nor may we
+ever bring this thing to pass, that we should change the purpose
+of Almighty God.  Let us therefore turn the heavenly kingdom from
+the sons of men, since we may not possess it, cause them to lose
+His favour and turn aside from the command He laid upon them. 
+Then shall His wrath be kindled, and He shall cast them out from
+grace.  They shall seek out hell and its grim gulf, and in this
+heavy bondage we may have the sons of men to serve us.
+
+(ll. 408-424) "Begin now and plan this enterprise.  If ever in
+olden days, when happily we dwelt in that good kingdom, and held
+possession of our thrones, I dealt out princely treasure to any
+thane, he could not make requital for my gifts at any better time
+than now, if some one of my thanes would be my helper, escaping
+outward through these bolted gates, with strength to wing his way
+on high where, new-created, Adam and Eve, surrounded with
+abundance, dwell on earth -- and we are cast out hither in this
+deep abyss.  They are now much dearer unto God, and own the high
+estate and rightful realm which we should have in heaven!  Good
+fortune is allotted to mankind.
+
+(ll. 425-437) "My soul is sorrowful within me, my heart is sore,
+that they should hold the heavenly realm for ever.  But if in any
+wise some one of you could bring them to forsake God's word and
+teaching, soon would they be less pleasing unto Him!  If they
+break His commandment, then will His wrath be kindled.  Their
+high estate shall vanish; their sin shall have requital, and some
+grim penalty.  Take thought now how ye may ensnare them.  I shall
+rest softly in these chains if they lose heaven.  Whoso shall
+bring this thing to pass shall have reward for ever, of all that
+we may win to our advantage, amid these flames.
+
+
+IX
+
+(ll. 438-441) I will let him sit next me, whoever shall return to
+hell proclaiming that they have set at naught, by word and deed,
+the counsels of the King of heaven and been displeasing to the
+Lord."
+
+((LACUNA -- Section missing of indeterminate length.))
+
+
+XI
+
+(ll. 442-460) Then God's enemy began to make him ready, equipped
+in war-gear, with a wily heart.  He set his helm of darkness on
+his head, bound it full hard, and fastened it with clasps.  Many
+a crafty speech he knew, many a crooked word.  Upward he beat his
+way and darted through the doors of hell.  He had a ruthless
+heart.  Evil of purpose he circled in the air, cleaving the flame
+with fiendish craft.  He would fain ensnare God's servants unto
+sin, seduce them and deceive them that they might be displeasing
+to the Lord.  With fiendish craft he took his way until he came
+on Adam upon earth, the finished handiwork of God, full wisely
+wrought, and his wife beside him, loveliest of women, performing
+many a goodly service since the Lord of men appointed them His
+ministers.
+
+(ll. 460-477) And by them stood two trees laden with fruit and
+clothed with increase.  Almighty God, High King of heaven, had
+set them there that the mortal sons of men might choose of good
+and evil, weal and woe.  Unlike was their fruit!  Of the one tree
+the fruit was pleasant, fair and winsome, excellent and sweet. 
+That was the tree of life.  He might live for ever in the world
+who ate of that fruit, so that old age pressed not heavily upon
+him, nor grievous sickness, but he might live his life in
+happiness for ever, and have the favour of the King of heaven
+here on earth.  And glory was ordained for him in heaven, when he
+went hence.
+
+(ll. 478-495) The other tree was dark, sunless, and full of
+shadows: that was the tree of death.  Bitter the fruit it bore! 
+And every man must know both good and evil; in this world abased
+he needs must suffer, in sweat and sorrow, who tasted of the
+fruit that grew upon that tree.  Old age would rob him of his
+strength and joy and honour, and death take hold upon him.  A
+little time might he enjoy this life, and then seek out the murky
+realm of flame, and be subject unto fiends.  There of all perils
+are the worst for men for ever.  And that the evil one knew well,
+the wily herald of the fiend who fought with God.  He took the
+form of a serpent, coiled round the tree of death by devil's
+craft, and plucked the fruit, and turned aside again where he
+beheld the handiwork of the King of heaven.  And the evil one in
+lying words began to question him:
+
+(ll. 496-506) "Hast thou any longing, Adam, unto God?  His
+service brings me hither from afar.  Not long since I was sitting
+at His side.  He sent me forth upon this journey to bid thee eat
+this fruit.  He said thy strength and power would increase, thy
+mind be mightier, more beautiful thy body, and thy form more
+fair.  He said thou wouldest lack no good thing on the earth when
+thou hast won the favour of the King of heaven, served thy Lord
+with gladness, and deserved His love.
+
+(ll. 507-521) "In the heavenly light I heard Him speaking of thy
+life, praising thy words and works.  Needs must thou do His
+bidding which His messengers proclaim on earth.  Broad-stretching
+are the green plains of the world, and from the highest realms of
+heaven God ruleth all things here below.  The Lord of men will
+not Himself endure the hardship to go upon this journey, but
+sendeth His ministers to speak with thee.  He sendeth tidings
+unto thee to teach thee wisdom.  Do His will with gladness!  Take
+this fruit in thy hand; taste and eat.  Thy heart shall grow more
+roomy and thy form more fair.  Almighty God, thy Lord, sendeth
+this help from heaven."
+
+(ll. 522-546) And Adam, first of men, answered where he stood on
+earth: "When I heard the Lord, my God, speaking with a mighty
+voice, He bade me dwell here keeping His commandments, gave me
+this woman, this lovely maid, bade me take heed and be not
+tempted to the tree of death and utterly beguiled, and said that
+he who taketh to his heart one whit of evil shall dwell in
+blackest hell.  Though thou art come with lies and secret wiles,
+I know not that thou art an angel of the Lord from heaven.  Lo! 
+I cannot understand thy precepts, thy words or ways, thy errand
+or thy sayings.  I know what things our Lord commanded when I
+beheld Him nigh at hand.  He bade me heed His word, observe it
+well, and keep His precepts.  Thou art not like to any of His
+angels that ever I have seen, nor hast thou showed me any token
+that my Lord hath sent of grace and favour.  Therefore I cannot
+hearken to thy teachings.  Get thee hence!  I have my faith set
+firm upon Almighty God, who with His own hands wrought me.  From
+His high throne He giveth all good things, and needeth not to
+send His ministers."
+
+
+XII
+
+(ll. 547-550) Then turned the fiend with wrathful heart to where
+he saw Eve standing on the plains of earth, a winsome maid.  And
+unto her he said, the greatest of all ills thereafter would fall
+on their descendants in the world:
+
+(ll. 551-558) "I know God's anger will be roused against you,
+when from this journey through far-stretching space I come again
+to Him, and bring this message, that ye refuse to do His bidding,
+as He hath sent commandment hither from the East.  He needs must
+come to speak with you, forsooth, nor may His minister proclaim
+His mission!  Truly I know His wrath will be kindled against you
+in His heart!
+
+(ll. 559-587) "But if thou, woman, wilt hearken to my words, thou
+mayest devise good counsel.  Bethink thee in thy heart to turn
+away His vengeance from you both, as I shall show thee.  Eat of
+this fruit!  Then shall thine eyes grow keen, and thou shalt see
+afar through all the world, yea!  unto the throne of God, thy
+Lord, and have His favour.  Thou mayest rule the heart of Adam,
+if thou incline to do it and he doth trust thy words, if thou
+wilt tell him truly what law thou hast in mind, to keep God's
+precepts and commandments.  His heart will cease from bitter
+strife and evil answers, as we two tell him for his good.  Urge
+him earnestly to do thy bidding, lest ye be displeasing to the
+Lord your God.  If thou fulfill this undertaking, thou best of
+women, I will not tell our Lord what evil Adam spake against me,
+his wicked words accusing me of falsehood, saying that I am eager
+in transgression, a servant of the Fiend and not God's angel. 
+But I know well the angel race, and the high courts of heaven. 
+Long ages have I served the Lord my God with loyal heart.  I am
+not like a devil."
+
+(ll. 588-599) So he urged with lies and luring wiles, tempting
+the woman unto sin, until the serpent's counsel worked within her
+-- for God had wrought her soul the weaker -- and her heart
+inclined according to his teaching.  Transgressing God's
+commandment, from the fiend she took the fatal fruit of the tree
+of death.  Never was worse deed wrought for men!  Great is the
+wonder that Eternal God, the Lord, would let so many of His
+thanes be tricked with lies by one who brought such counsel.  She
+ate the fruit and set at naught the will and word of God.
+
+(ll. 600-610) Then could she see afar by gift of the fiend, whose
+lies deceived and artfully ensnared her, so that it came to pass
+the heavens appeared to her more radiant, and the earth and all
+the world more fair, the great and mighty handiwork of God,
+though she beheld it not by human wisdom; but eagerly the fiend
+deceived her soul and gave her vision, that she might see afar
+across the heavenly kingdom.  Then spake the fiend with hostile
+purpose -- and nought of profit did he counsel:
+
+(ll. 610-625) "Now mayest thou behold, most worthy Eve, nor need
+I tell thee, how fair thy beauty and thy form how changed, since
+thou didst trust my words and do my bidding.  A radiance shineth
+round about thee, gleaming splendour, which I brought forth from
+God on high.  Thou mayest touch it!  Tell Adam what vision thou
+hast and power by my coming.  And even yet, if he will do my
+bidding with humble heart, I will give him of this light
+abundantly, as I have given thee, and will not punish his
+reviling words, though he deserves no mercy for the grievous ill
+he spake against me.  So shall his children live hereafter!  When
+they do evil, they must win God's love, avert His doom, and gain
+the favour of their Lord for ever!"
+
+(ll. 626-635) Then the lovely maid, fairest of women that ever
+came into this world, went unto Adam.  She was the handiwork of
+the King of heaven, though tricked with lies and utterly undone,
+so that through fiendish craft and devil's fraud she needs must
+be displeasing to the Lord, forfeit God's favour, and lose her
+glory and her heavenly home.  So often evil dwelleth with that
+man who doth not shun it when he hath the power.
+
+(ll. 636-646) Of the fatal apples some she carried in her hands
+and some lay on her breast, the fruit of the tree of death
+whereof the Lord of lords, the Prince of glory, had forbidden her
+to eat, saying His servants need not suffer death.  The Holy Lord
+bestowed a heavenly heritage and ample bliss on every race, if
+they would but forgo that fruit alone, that bitter fruit, which
+the mortal tree brought forth upon its boughs.  That was the tree
+of death which the Lord forbade them!
+
+(ll. 647-654) But the fiend, who hated God, and loathed the King
+of heaven, deceived with lies Eve's heart and erring wisdom, and
+she believed his words and did his bidding, and came at last to
+think his counsels were indeed from God, as he so cunningly had
+said.  He showed to her a token, and gave her promise of good
+faith and friendly purpose.  Then to her lord she said:
+
+(ll. 655-665) "Adam, my lord!  This fruit is sweet and pleasing
+to the heart; this radiant messenger is God's good angel!  I know
+by his attire he is a herald of our Lord, the King of heaven. 
+Better to win his favour than his wrath!  If thou to-day hast
+spoken aught of evil, yet will he still forgive thee, if we will
+do his will.  Of what avail this bitter strife against the herald
+of thy Lord?  We need his favour.  For he may plead our cause
+before Almighty God, the King of heaven.
+
+(ll. 666-683) "I can behold where in the south and east He who
+shaped the world sits veiled in splendour.  I see the angels
+circling round His throne, in winged flight, unnumbered myriads,
+clothed in beauty.  Who could give me such discernment, except it
+be sent straight from God, the Lord of heaven?  Widely may I hear
+and widely see through all the world across the broad creation. 
+I hear the hymns of rapture from on high.  Radiance blazes on my
+soul without and within since first I tasted of the fruit.  Lo! 
+my good lord!  I bring thee in my hand this fruit, and give thee
+freely of it.  I do believe that it is come from God, and brought
+by His command, as this messenger declared in words of truth.  It
+is not like aught else on earth except, as this herald saith, it
+cometh straight from God."
+
+
+XIII
+
+(ll. 684-703) Long she pled, and urged him all the day to that
+dark deed, to disobey their Lord's command.  Close stood the evil
+fiend, inflaming with desire, luring with wiles, and boldly
+tempting him.  The fiend stood near at hand who on that fatal
+mission had come a long, long way.  He planned to hurl men down
+to utter death, mislead them and deceive them, that they might
+lose the gift of God, His favour and their heavenly realm.  Lo! 
+well the hell-fiend knew they must endure God's anger and the
+pains of hell, suffer grim misery and woe, since they had broken
+God's commandment, when with his lying words he tricked the
+beauteous maid, fairest of women, unto that deed of folly, so
+that she spake according to his will; and aided her in tempting
+unto evil the handiwork of God.
+
+(ll. 704-716) Over and over the fairest of women pled with Adam,
+until she began to incline his heart so that he trusted the
+command the woman laid upon him.  All this she did with good
+intent, and knew not that so many evils, such grim afflictions,
+would come upon mankind, when she was moved to hearken to the
+counsels of the evil herald; but she hoped to win God's favour by
+her words, showing such token and such pledge of truth unto the
+man, that the mind of Adam was changed within his breast, and his
+heart began to bend according to her will.
+
+(ll. 717-726) From the woman he took both death and hell,
+although it did not bear these names, but bore the name of fruit. 
+The sleep of death and fiends' seduction; death and hell and
+exile and damnation -- these were the fatal fruit whereon they
+feasted.  And when the apple worked within him and touched his
+heart, then laughed aloud the evilhearted fiend, capered about,
+and gave thanks to his lord for both:
+
+(ll. 726-749) "Now have I won thy promised favour, and wrought
+thy will!  For many a day to come is man undone, Adam and Eve! 
+God's wrath shall be heavy upon them, for they have scorned His
+precepts and commandments.  Wherefore they may no longer hold
+their heavenly kingdom, but they must travel the dark road to
+hell.  Thou needest not feel sorrow in thy heart, as thou liest
+in thy bonds, nor mourn in spirit that men should dwell in heaven
+above, while we now suffer misery and pain in realms of darkness,
+and through thy pride have lost our high estate in heaven and
+goodly dwellings.  God's anger was kindled against us because in
+heaven we would not bow our heads in service before the Holy
+Lord.  It pleased us not to serve Him.  Then was God moved to
+wrath and hard of heart, and drove us into hell; cast a great
+host into hell-fire, and with His hands prepared again in heaven
+celestial thrones, and gave that kingdom to mankind.
+
+(ll. 750-762) "Blithe be thy heart within thy breast!  For here
+to-day are two things come to pass: the sons of men shall lose
+their heavenly kingdom, and journey unto thee to burn in flame;
+also heart-sorrow and affliction are visited on God.  Whatever
+death we suffer here is now repaid on Adam in the wrath of God
+and man's damnation and the pangs of death.  Therefore my heart
+is healed, my soul untrammelled in my breast.  All our injuries
+are now avenged, and all the evil that we long have suffered. 
+Now will I plunge again into the flame, and seek out Satan, where
+he lieth in hell's shadows, bound with chains."
+
+(ll. 762-769) Then the foul fiend sank downward to the wide-flung
+flames and gates of hell wherein his lord lay bound.  But Adam
+and Eve were wretched in their hearts; sad were the words that
+passed between them.  They feared the anger of the Lord their
+God; they dreaded the wrath of the King of heaven.  They knew
+that His command was broken.
+
+(ll. 770-790) The woman mourned and wept in sorrow (she had
+forfeited God's grace and broken His commandment) when she beheld
+the radiance disappear which he who brought this evil on them had
+showed her by a faithless token, that they might suffer pangs of
+hell and untold woe.  Wherefore heartsorrow burned within their
+breasts.  Husband and wife they bowed them down in prayer,
+beseeching God and calling on the Lord of heaven, and prayed that
+they might expiate their sin, since they had broken God's
+commandment.  They saw that their bodies were naked.  In that
+land they had as yet no settled home, nor knew they aught of pain
+or sorrow; but they might have prospered in the land if they had
+done God's will.  Many a rueful word they uttered, husband and
+wife together.  And Adam spake unto Eve and said:
+
+(ll. 791-820) "O Eve!  a bitter portion hast thou won us!  Dost
+thou behold the yawning gulf of hell, sunless, insatiate?  Thou
+mayest hear the groans that rise therefrom!  The heavenly realm
+is little like that blaze of fire!  Lo!  fairest of all lands is
+this, which we, by God's grace, might have held hadst thou not
+hearkened unto him who urged this evil, so that we set at naught
+the word of God, the King of heaven.  Now in grief we mourn that
+evil mission!  For God Himself bade us beware of sin and dire
+disaster.  Now thirst and hunger press upon my heart whereof we
+formerly were ever free.  How shall we live or dwell now in this
+land if the wind blow from the west or east, south or north, if
+mist arise and showers of hail beat on us from the heavens, and
+frost cometh, wondrous cold, upon the earth, or, hot in heaven,
+shineth the burning sun, and we two stand here naked and
+unclothed?  We have no shelter from the weather, nor any store of
+food.  And the Mighty Lord, our God, is angry with us.  What
+shall become of us?  Now I repent me that I prayed the God of
+heaven, the Gracious Lord, and of my limbs He wrought thee for my
+helpmeet, since thou hast led me unto evil and the anger of my
+Lord.  Well may I repent to all eternity that ever I beheld thee
+with mine eyes!"
+
+
+XIV
+
+(ll. 821-823) Then spake Eve, the lovely maid, fairest of women.
+(She was the work of God, though led astray by power of the
+fiend):
+
+(ll. 824-826) "Well mayest thou upbraid me, my dear Adam!  But
+thou canst not repent one whit more bitterly in thy heart than my
+heart repenteth."
+
+(ll. 826-839) And Adam answered her: "If I but knew the will of
+God, the penalty I needs must pay, thou couldest not find one
+more swift to do it, though the Lord of heaven bade me go forth
+and walk upon the sea.  The ocean-stream could never be so
+wondrous deep or wide that ever my heart would doubt, but I would
+go even unto the bottom of the sea, if I might work the will of
+God.  I have no wish for years of manhood in the world now that I
+have forfeited the favour of my Lord, and lost His grace.  But we
+may not be thus together, naked.  Let us go into this grove, and
+under the shelter of this wood."
+
+(ll. 840-851) And they turned and went weeping into the green
+wood, and sat them down apart from one another to wait the fate
+the Lord of heaven should assign them, since they had lost their
+former state and portion which Almighty God had given them.  And
+they covered their bodies with leaves, and clothed them with the
+foliage of the wood, for they had no garments.  And both together
+bowed in prayer; and every morning they besought Almighty God,
+the Gracious Lord, that He would not forget them, but would teach
+them how to live thenceforward in the light.
+
+(End of Genesis B)
+
+
+(ll. 852-866) Then came Almighty God, the Glorious Prince,
+walking in the garden after the midday, according to His will. 
+Our Saviour, the Merciful Father, would fain discover what His
+children did.  He knew their glory was gone which formerly He
+gave them.  Sadly they stole away into the darkness of the trees,
+bereft of glory, and hid themselves in the shadows when they
+heard the holy voice of God, and were afraid.  Then the Lord of
+heaven began to call the warden of the world, and bade His son
+come quickly unto Him.  And he made answer unto God, and spake of
+his nakedness with shame:
+
+(ll. 867-871) "I will clothe my nakedness with a garment, my dear
+Lord, and cover my shame with leaves.  My heart is troubled and
+cast down within me.  I dare not come before Thy presence, for I
+am naked."
+
+
+XV
+
+(ll. 872-881) And straightway God made answer unto him: "Tell me,
+My son, why stealest thou away into the darkness with shame? 
+Thou didst not formerly feel shame before Me, but only joy. 
+Wherefore art thou humbled and abashed, knowing sorrow, covering
+thy body with leaves, sad of heart and wretched in thy woe,
+saying thou needest clothing, except thou hast eaten of the fruit
+of the tree which I forbade thee?"
+
+(ll. 882-886) And Adam again made answer: "My Lord!  this woman,
+this lovely maid, gave me the fruit into my hand, and I took it
+in trespass against Thee.  And now I clearly bear the token upon
+me and know the more of sorrow."
+
+(ll. 887-895) Then Almighty God questioned Eve: "Of what avail,
+My daughter, were My abundant blessings, the new-created Paradise
+and pleasant growing things, that thou shouldest stretch thy
+hands with yearning unto the tree, and pluck the apples growing
+on its boughs, and eat the deadly fruit in trespass against Me,
+and give to Adam, when by My word it was forbidden to you both?"
+
+(ll. 895-902) And the lovely woman, put to shame, made answer:
+"The serpent, the deadly snake, with fair words tempted me, and
+eagerly enticed me to that deed of sin and evil appetite, until I
+basely did the deed and wrought the wrong, despoiled the tree
+within the wood, as was not right, and ate the fruit."
+
+(ll. 903-905) Then our Saviour, the Almighty Lord, decreed unto
+the serpent, the guilty snake, an endless wandering, and said:
+
+(ll. 906-917) "All thy life upon thy belly shalt thou go to and
+fro upon the fields of the broad earth, accursed, so long as life
+and spirit dwell within thee.  Dust shalt thou eat all the days
+of thy life for the grievous evil thou hast wrought.  The woman
+shall loathe and hate thee under heaven.  Her foot shall crush
+thy head, and thou shalt bruise her heel anew.  There shall be
+strife between your seed for ever, while the world standeth under
+heaven.  Now thou knowest clearly, thou foul tempter, what thy
+life shall be."
+
+
+XVI
+
+(ll. 918-924) And unto Eve God spake in wrath: "Turn thee from
+joy!  Thou shalt live under man's dominion, sore smitten with
+fear before him.  With bitter sorrow shalt thou expiate thy sin,
+waiting for death, bringing forth sons and daughters in the world
+with grief and tears and lamentation."
+
+(ll. 925-938) And on Adam the Eternal God, Author of life,
+pronounced an evil doom: "Thou shalt seek another home, a joyless
+dwelling.  Naked and needy shalt thou suffer exile, shorn of thy
+glory.  Thy soul and body shall be cleft asunder.  Lo!  thou hast
+sinned a grievous sin.  Therefore shalt thou labour, winning thy
+portion on the earth by toil, eating thy bread in the sweat of
+thy brow while thou dwellest here, until that grim disease, which
+first thou tasted in the apple, shall grip hard at thy heart.  So
+shalt thou die."
+
+(ll. 939-951) Lo!  now we know how our afflictions came upon us,
+and mortal misery!  Then the Lord of glory, our Creator, clothed
+them with garments, and bade them cover their shame with their
+first raiment.  He drove them forth from Paradise into a narrower
+life.  By God's command a holy angel, with a sword of fire,
+closed fast that pleasant home of peace and joy behind them.  No
+wicked, sinful man may walk therein, but the warden has strength
+and power, dear unto God in virtue, who guards that life of
+glory.
+
+(ll. 952-964) Yet the Almighty Father would not take away from
+Adam and from Eve, at once, all goodly things, though He withdrew
+His favour from them.  But for their comfort He left the sky
+above them adorned with shining stars, gave them wide-stretching
+fields, and bade the earth and sea and all their teeming
+multitudes to bring forth fruits to serve man's earthly need. 
+After their sin they dwelt in a realm more sorrowful, a home and
+native land less rich in all good things than was their first
+abode, wherefrom He drove them out after their sin.
+
+(ll. 965-987) Then, according to the word of God, Adam and Eve
+begat children, as God had bidden.  To them were born two goodly
+sons, Abel and Cain: the books tell us how these brothers, first
+of toilers, gained wealth and goods and store of food.  One, the
+first-born, tilled the fields; the other aided with his father's
+cattle; and after many days they both brought offerings to God. 
+The Prince of angels, Lord of every creature, lifted up His eyes
+on Abel's offering and would not look upon the gift of Cain.  And
+the heart of Cain was bitter; wrath shook his soul, and envy
+burned within him.  Then with his hands Cain wrought a deed of
+shame, struck down his brother Abel, and poured his blood upon
+the ground.  The earth drank in his blood poured out in murder.
+
+(ll. 987-1001) After that mortal blow came woe and tribulation. 
+From that shoot grew more and more a deadly bitter fruit, and the
+boughs of sin stretched far and wide among the nations;
+grievously the twigs of evil touched the sons of men (and do so
+yet), and from them grew broad blades of wickedness.  With
+lamentation must we tell that tale of evil fate, not without
+cause.  Grievous the ruin the lovely woman wrought us by that
+first of sins that ever men on earth had sinned against their
+Maker since Adam first was filled with breath from the mouth of
+God.
+
+
+XVII
+
+(ll. 1002-1005) Then the Lord of glory spake unto Cain, and asked
+where Abel was.  Quickly the cursed fashioner of death made
+answer unto Him:
+
+(ll. 1006-1008) "I know not the coming or going of Abel, my
+kinsman, his lot or portion; I was not my brother's keeper."
+
+(ll. 1008-1021) And the Gracious Spirit, Lord of angels, made
+answer unto him: "Why hast thou slain that faithful man thy
+brother in thy wrath, and his blood calleth and crieth unto Me? 
+Accursed for ever, driven into exile, thou shalt be punished for
+this deed of death!  The earth shall not yield thee of her
+pleasant fruits for thy daily need, but by thy hands her soil is
+stained with holy blood.  Therefore the green earth shall
+withhold from thee her beauty and her delights.  In sadness and
+dishonour shalt thou depart from thy home, because thou hast
+slain thy brother, Abel.  Loathed of thy kinsmen, an exile and a
+fugitive, shalt thou wander on the face of the earth."
+
+(ll. 1022-1035) And Cain made answer unto Him: ...."I need not
+look for pity in this world, High King of heaven, for I have lost
+Thy love and favour and goodwill.  Weary the ways my feet must
+wander, in dread of woe, whenever one shall meet me in my guilt,
+near or far, and by his hate remind me of my brother's death.  I
+shed his blood and poured his life-blood on the ground.  From
+this day hast Thou cut me off from good!  Thou scourgest me from
+home!  Some cruel foe shall slay me.  And I must needs go forth,
+accursed, from Thy sight, O Lord!"
+
+(ll. 1036-1043) And the Lord of victory said unto him: "Thou
+needest not yet dread death, nor the pangs of death, though thou
+shalt wander, far from kinsmen, with thy doom upon thee.  If any
+man shall slay thee with his hands, on him shall fall a
+seven-fold vengeance, and torment for that deed of sin."
+
+(ll. 1043-1054) And God, the Lord of glory, set a mark upon him
+and a token, lest any foe from far or near should dare to lift
+his hand against him; and He bade him go forth in his guilt from
+mother and kinsmen and from all his tribe.  Then with despairing
+heart, a friendless exile, Cain departed out of the sight of God,
+and chose a home and dwelling in the eastern lands, far from his
+father's house; and there a comely maiden bare him children after
+his kind.
+
+(ll. 1055-1073) Enoch was first-born of the sons of Cain.  He
+built a city with his kinsmen, the first of all those strongholds
+under heaven which sword-girt men established; and in the city
+sons were born to him.  Irad was first-born of the sons of Enoch;
+and he begat children, and all the tribe and race of Cain
+increased.  And after Irad Mahalaleel was warden of the treasure,
+in his father's stead, until he died.  Then Methusael dispensed
+the treasure to his brothers and his kinsmen, man for man, till,
+full of many years, he died.
+
+(ll. 1073-1081) And at his father's death Lamech succeeded to the
+treasure and the household goods.  Two wives bare children to him
+in his home, Adah and Zillah.  Now one of the sons of Lamech was
+called Jabal; and he was first of all men by his skill to stir
+the harp to music and its strings to song.
+
+
+XVIII
+
+(ll. 1082-1089) And there was also in that tribe another son of
+Lamech, called Tubal Cain, a smith skilled in his craft.  He was
+the first of all men on the earth to fashion tools of husbandry;
+and far and wide the city-dwelling sons of men made use of bronze
+and iron.
+
+(ll. 1090-1103) Then to his two beloved wives, Adah and Zillah,
+Lamech rehearsed a tale of shame: "I have struck down a kinsman
+unto death!  I have defiled my hands with the blood of Cain!  I
+smote down Enoch's father, slayer of Abel, and poured his blood
+upon the ground.  Full well I know that for that mortal deed
+shall come God's seven-fold vengeance.  With fearful torment
+shall my deed of death and murder be requited, when I go hence."
+
+(ll. 1104-1111) Then another son was born to Adam in Abel's
+stead; and his name was Seth.  He was a righteous son and
+blessed, a solace to his parents, his father and mother, Adam and
+Eve.  And he filled the place of Abel in the world.  Then Adam
+spake, the first of men:
+
+(ll. 1111-1116) "The eternal God of victory, the Lord of life,
+hath vouchsafed me another son in place of my beloved whom Cain
+slew.  So our Lord hath stilled the sorrow of my heart.  To Him
+be thanks!"
+
+(ll. 1117-1127) Now, when Adam begat another son to be his heir,
+that sturdy man had lived an hundred and thirty winters of this
+life in the world.  The writings tell us that Adam increased his
+tribe on earth, begetting sons and daughters eight hundred years. 
+And all the years of Adam were nine hundred and thirty winters,
+and he died.
+
+(ll. 1128-1142) And Seth succeeded Adam: at his father's death
+the well-loved son possessed the treasure, and took himself a
+wife.  And Seth lived an hundred and five winters in the world
+and increased his tribe, begetting sons and daughters.  Enos was
+first-born of the sons of Seth; and he was first of all the sons
+of men to call upon the name of God since Adam, first a living
+spirit, set foot on the green earth.  Seth prospered, eight
+hundred and seven winters begetting sons and daughters.  And all
+the years of Seth were nine hundred and twelve winters, and he
+died.
+
+(ll. 1143-1154) And after he went hence, and the earth received
+the body of seed-bearing Seth, Enos was warden of the heritage. 
+Dear was he unto God!  He lived for ninety winters in the world,
+and begat children.  And Cainan was first-born of the sons of
+Enos.  Eight hundred and fifteen winters the man of wisdom lived,
+at peace with God, begetting sons and daughters.  And all the
+years of Enos were nine hundred and five winters, and he died.
+
+(ll. 1155-1166) And after Enos Cainan ruled the tribe as lord and
+leader.  He lived seventy winters, and begat a son.  An heir was
+born unto his house, and his name was Mahalaleel.  Eight hundred
+and forty winters Cainan lived, and increased his tribe.  And all
+the years of the son of Enos were nine hundred and ten winters,
+and he died, and his appointed days beneath the heavens were
+fulfilled.
+
+
+XIX
+
+(ll. 1167-1180) And after Cainan Mahalaleel possessed the land
+and treasure many a year.  The prince lived five-and-sixty
+winters, and begat a son.  An heir was born unto his house, and
+his kinsmen called him Jared, as I have heard.  Mahalaleel lived
+long, enjoying bliss on earth, the joys of men, and worldly
+treasure.  And all the years of Mahalaleel were eight hundred
+five-and-ninety winters, and he died, and gave the land and rule
+unto his son.
+
+(ll. 1180-1196) A long time Jared dealt out gold to men.  He was
+a righteous prince, a noble earl, dear to his kinsmen  He lived
+an hundred five-and-sixty winters in the world, and, when her
+time was come, his wife brought forth her first-born, a goodly
+son.  And his name was Enoch.  Eight hundred years his father
+lived, and increased his tribe.  And all the years of Jared were
+nine hundred five-and-sixty winters, and he died, and gave the
+land and rule unto his son, the wise and well-loved prince.
+
+(ll. 1197-1217) And Enoch ruled the folk, led them in ways of
+peace, and no wise let his sway and power lessen, while he was
+lord over his kinsmen.  Now Enoch prospered and increased his
+tribe three hundred years.  And God, the Lord of heaven, was
+gracious unto him!  In his natural body he entered into heavenly
+joy and the glory of God, dying no mortal death as men do here,
+the young and old, what time God taketh from them wealth and
+substance and earthly treasure and their life; but with the King
+of angels he departed still alive out of this fleeting life, in
+the same vestments which his soul received before his mother bare
+him.  He left the people to his eldest son.  And all the years of
+Enoch were three hundred five-and-sixty winters, and he died.
+
+(ll. 1217-1224) Then Methuselah held sway among his kinsmen, and
+longest of all men enjoyed the pleasures of this world.  He begat
+a multitude of sons and daughters before his death.  And all the
+years of Methuselah were nine hundred and seventy winters, and he
+died.
+
+(ll. 1224-1236) And Lamech, his son, succeeded him and kept the
+treasure.  Long time he ruled the land.  He lived an hundred and
+two winters, and begat children.  And the lord and leader of the
+folk lived five hundred five-and-ninety years, enjoying many
+winters under heaven, ruling the folk with wisdom.  And Lamech
+increased his tribe, begetting sons and daughters.  He called the
+name of the first-born Noah; and Noah ruled the land after the
+death of Lamech.
+
+(ll. 1237-1247) Now Noah, the lord of men, lived five hundred
+winters, as the books say, and begat children.  The first-born
+son of Noah was Shem, and the second Ham, and the third Japheth. 
+And the folk grew in number under heaven, and the multitude of
+the race of men increased throughout the earth.  The tribe of
+Seth, the well-loved prince, was still exceeding dear to God, and
+blessed in His love!
+
+
+XX
+
+(ll. 1248-1254) Then the sons of God began to take them wives
+from the tribe of Cain, a cursed folk, and the sons of men chose
+them wives from among that people, the fair and winsome daughters
+of that sinful race, against the will of God.  Then the Lord of
+heaven lifted up His voice in wrath against mankind, and said:
+
+(ll. 1255-1262) "Lo!  I have not been unmindful of the sons of
+men, but the tribe of Cain hath sorely angered Me.  The sons of
+Seth have stirred My wrath against them; they have taken them
+wives from among the daughters of My foes.  Woman's beauty and
+woman's grace and the eternal fiend have taken hold upon this
+people who dwelt of old in peace."
+
+(ll. 1263-1284) An hundred and twenty numbered winters in the
+world that fated folk were busied in evil.  Then the Lord
+resolved to punish those faithless spirits, and slay the sinful
+giant sons, undear to God, those huge, unholy scathers, loathsome
+to the Lord.  The King of victory beheld how great was the
+wickedness of men on earth, and saw that they were bold in sin
+and full of wiles.  He resolved to bring destruction on the
+tribes of men, and smite mankind with heavy hand.  It repented
+Him exceedingly that He had made man, and the first of men, when
+He created Adam.  He said that for the sins of men He would lay
+waste the earth, and all that was upon the earth, destroying
+every living thing that breathed the breath of life.  All this
+would the Lord destroy in the days that were coming on the sons
+of men.
+
+(ll. 1285-1295) But Noah, the son of Lamech, was good and dear to
+God, exceeding blessed, just and meek.  And the Lord knew that
+virtue flourished in the heart of Noah.  Wherefore God, the Holy
+Lord of every creature, spake unto Noah, declaring His wrath and
+vengeance on the sons of men.  For He saw that the earth was full
+of wickedness, and its broad and fertile meadows filled with sin
+and defiled with uncleanness.  And the Lord our God spake unto
+Noah, and said:
+
+(ll. 1296-1313) "I will destroy this people with a flood, man and
+every living thing that the air and the seas bring forth and
+nourish, birds of the air and beasts of the field.  But thou, and
+thy sons with thee, shall have mercy when the black waters, the
+dark, destroying floods, shall overwhelm the hosts of sinful men. 
+Begin to build thee a ship, a mighty seahouse, and in it make
+abiding-room for many, and set a rightful place for every tribe
+of earth.  Build floors within the ark, dividing it in stories.
+And thou shalt build it three hundred cubits long and fifty
+cubits wide and thirty cubits high, and fasten it firmly against
+the might of the waves.  And thou shalt take within the ark the
+seed of every living thing, and the offspring of all flesh upon
+the earth.  And the ark must hold them all."
+
+(ll. 1314-1319) And Noah did according as God commanded him.  He
+hearkened unto the Holy King of heaven, and began straightway to
+build the ark, a mighty sea-chest.  And unto his kinsmen he
+proclaimed destruction coming upon men, and bitter vengeance. 
+And they heeded him not.
+
+(ll. 1320-1326) Then after many winters the Faithful Lord beheld
+the greatest of ocean-houses, Noah's vessel, towering up, made
+tight with the best of pitch within and without against the
+floods.  And it was best of all its kind, growing more hard the
+more the rough waves and the black sea-streams beat up against
+it.
+
+
+XXI
+
+(l. 1327) Then our Lord said unto Noah:
+
+(ll. 1328-1355) "I give thee My pledge, dearest of men, that thou
+mayest go thy way, thou and the seed of every living thing which
+thou shalt ferry through the deep water for many a day in the
+bosom of the ship.  Lead on board the ark, as I bid thee, thy
+household, thy wife and thy three sons, and thy sons' wives with
+thee.  And take within that sea-home seven of every kind of
+living thing that serve as food for men, and two of every other
+kind.  Likewise of all the fruits of the earth take food for the
+company upon thy ship, who with thee shall be saved from the
+flood!  Care well for every creature until I shall cause food to
+grow again beneath the heavens for the survivors of the ocean
+floods.  Depart now with thy household and thy host of guests,
+embarking on the ship.  I know that thou art good, and of a
+steadfast mind.  Thou art worthy of grace and mercy, thou and thy
+children.  Lo!  for seven nights I shall let the rains descend
+upon the face of the broad earth.  Forty days will I visit My
+wrath upon men, with a deluge destroying the riches of the world
+and the tribes of men, save what shall be upon the ark when the
+black floods begin to rise."
+
+(ll. 1356-1371) And Noah departed, as the Lord commanded,
+embarking his household upon the ark, leading up his sons into
+the ship, and their wives with them.  All that Almighty God would
+have for seed went in under the roof of the ark unto their
+food-giver, even according as the Mighty Lord of hosts gave
+bidding by His word.  And the Warden of that heavenly kingdom,
+the God of victories, locked the door of the ocean-house behind
+him with His hands, and our Lord blessed all within the ark with
+His blessing.  Now Noah, the son of Lamech, had lived six hundred
+winters, wise and full of years, when he went up with the young
+men, his beloved sons, into the ark, as God gave bidding.
+
+(ll. 1371-1399) Then the Lord sent the rains from heaven, and
+caused the black sea-streams to roar, and the fountains of the
+deep to overflow the world.  The seas surged up over the barriers
+of the shore.  Mighty in His wrath was He who rules the waters!
+And He overwhelmed and covered the mortal sons of sin with a
+black deluge, laying waste the native land and homes of men.  God
+visited their offences upon them.  Forty days and forty nights
+the sea laid hold on that doomed folk.  Dire was that disaster
+and deadly unto men.  The stormy surges of the King of glory
+quenched the life from out the bodies of that sinful host.  The
+flood, raging beneath the heavens, covered over all high hills
+throughout the spacious earth, and lifted up the ark from the
+earth upon the bosom of the waters, and all within the ark, whom
+the Lord our God had blessed when He locked the door of the ship.
+Then far and wide that best of ocean-houses and its burden
+floated beneath the heavens over the compass of the sea.  The
+raging terrors of the deep might not lay hold on ship or
+mariners, but Holy God ferried them upon the sea and shielded
+them.  Fifteen cubits deep upon the hills the deluge lay.  That
+was a grievous fate!
+
+(ll. 1400-1406) But no harm came nigh unto the ark, save that it
+was lifted up to heaven, when the flood destroyed all creatures
+on the earth; but Holy God, the Eternal King, the Lord of heaven,
+stern of heart, preserved the ark when He unleashed the ocean
+currents and their changing streams.
+
+
+XXII
+
+(ll. 1407-1412) And God, the Lord of victory, was mindful of
+those mariners, of the son of Lamech, and all the living things
+which the Author of life and light had locked within the bosom of
+the ship against the waters' might.  The Lord of hosts guided the
+warriors by His word across the world.
+
+(ll. 1412-1421) Then the welling floods began to lessen and the
+black tides ebbed beneath the heavens.  The Just God turned the
+waters again from His children and stilled the downpour of the
+rains.  Foamy-necked the ship fared on an hundred and fifty
+nights beneath the heavens, after the flood had lifted up that
+best of vessels with its well-nailed sides -- until at last the
+appointed number of the days of wrath were passed away.
+
+(ll. 1421-1430) And the ark of Noah, the greatest of seahomes,
+with its burden, rested high upon the hills which are called
+Armenia.  There the holy son of Lamech waited many days for God's
+faithful covenant to be fulfilled, when the Warden of life, the
+Lord Almighty, would give him respite from the perils he had
+suffered while the black waves bore him far and wide upon the
+waters over the spacious earth.
+
+(ll. 1431-1448) The floods receded, and those sea-tossed men,
+together with their wives, longed for the hour when they might
+leave their narrow home, and step across the well-nailed sides
+upon the shore, and from their prison lead out their possessions. 
+And Noah, the helmsman of the ark, made trial whether the
+seafloods yet were ebbing under heaven.  After many days, while
+the high hills yet harboured the seed and treasure of the tribes
+of earth, the son of Lamech let a dusky raven fly forth from the
+ark over the deep flood.  And Noah was sure that in its need, if
+so be it should find no land upon this journey, the raven would
+return to him again within the ark across the wide water.  But
+Noah's hope failed him!  Exulting the raven perched upon the
+floating bodies of the dead; the black-winged bird would not
+return.
+
+(ll. 1449-1463) And seven days after the dusky raven he let a
+grey dove fly forth from the ark across the deep water, making
+trial whether the high and foaming floods had yet receded from
+any region of the green earth.  Widely she sought her heart's
+desire, circling afar, but nowhere finding rest.  Because of the
+floods she might not set foot upon the land, nor settle on the
+branch of any tree because of the ocean-streams.  The high hills
+were covered by the deep.  And so at evening over the dusky wave
+the wild bird sought the ark, settling hungry and weary into the
+hands of that holy man.
+
+(ll. 1464-1476) And again after seven days a second dove was sent
+forth from the ark.  The wild bird circled widely till she found
+a refuge and a pleasant resting-place, and settled in a tree. 
+Blithe of heart, she rejoiced that in her weariness she might
+find rest upon its pleasant branches.  She shook her feathers and
+flew back with a gift, bearing as she flew a branch of an olive
+tree with its green blades.  And the prince of shipmen knew that
+comfort was at hand, and a requital of their toilsome voyage.
+
+(ll. 1476-1482) And again after seven days the blessed man sent
+forth a third wild dove.  And she flew not back unto the ark, but
+came to land and the green forests.  Her heart was glad; never
+again would she appear under the black roof of the ark.  Nor was
+there need!
+
+
+XXIII
+
+(ll. 1483-1484) Then our Lord, the Warden of the heavenly
+kingdom, with holy word spake unto Noah:
+
+(ll. 1485-1492) "For thee again on earth a fair abiding-place is
+founded, blessings upon the land, and rest from far
+sea-wandering.  Depart in peace out of the ark; go forth upon the
+bosom of the earth.  And from the high ship lead thy household,
+and all the living things which graciously I shielded against the
+flood, so long as the sea held sway and covered thy third home."
+
+(ll. 1493-1511) And Noah hearkened unto God with great rejoicing,
+and did according as the Voice commanded.  And he went out upon
+the shore, and led forth from the ark all who had survived that
+time of woe.  Then Noah, wise of counsel, began to offer
+sacrifice to God.  And for an offering he took a part of all his
+goods which God had given him to enjoy, and, great in wisdom and
+in glory, made sacrifice to God, the King of angels.  And
+straightway our Lord made known that He had blessed Noah, and
+Noah's children, because he had offered that thank-offering, and
+in his youth by good deeds had deserved the bounteous mercies
+which Almighty God in majesty bestowed upon him.  And God, the
+Lord of glory, spake unto Noah and said:
+
+(ll. 1512-1531) "Be fruitful and multiply, enjoying honour,
+delighting in peace.  Fill all the earth with your increase.  To
+you is given the home of your fathers, dominion over the fish of
+the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts of the field,
+over all the green earth and its teeming herds.  Never shall ye
+eat in blood your shameful feasts through sin defiled with blood. 
+For most he injureth himself and his soul's honour whoso shall
+slay another with the sword.  Verily!  in no wise shall his heart
+have joy in his reward!  For many times more heavily will I
+avenge man's life upon his murderer, because his sword hath
+prospered in violence and blood, and his hands in death.  Man was
+first fashioned in the image of God.  Each hath the form of God
+and of the angels, whoso will keep My holy laws.
+
+(ll. 1532-1542) "Be fruitful and multiply, enjoying grace on
+earth and every pleasant thing.  Fill all the regions of the
+earth with your increase, your issue, and your seed.  And unto
+you I give My covenant that never again will I bring the waters
+upon the earth or a flood on the wide-stretching land.  Oft shall
+ye behold the token of My promise in the heavens, when I show
+forth My rainbow, that I will keep this covenant with men while
+the world standeth."
+
+(ll. 1543-1554) And the wise son of Lamech, the warden of wealth,
+came forth from the ship as the flood receded, and his three sons
+with him.  And their four wives were called Percoba, and Olla,
+and Olliva, and Ollivani.  The Faithful Lord had saved them to
+survive the flood.  And Noah's stout-hearted sons were Shem and
+Ham, and the third was Japheth.  From them sprang many peoples,
+and all the earth was filled with the sons of men.
+
+(ll. 1555-1561) Then a second time Noah began to establish a home
+with his kinsmen, and to till the earth for food.  He toiled and
+wrought and planted a vineyard and sowed seed, and laboured that
+the green earth might bring forth her shining harvests, her
+gleaming crops, in every season.
+
+(ll. 1562-1576) And it came to pass upon a time that the blessed
+man lay drunk with wine in his dwelling, and slumbered heavy with
+feasting, and cast off his robe from his body, as was not seemly,
+and lay there naked of limb.  Little did he know what evil plight
+was his in his dwelling, while drunkenness had hold upon his
+heart within him in its holy house.  But his soul was fast bound
+in slumber, so that in his stupor he might not cover himself with
+a garment, nor hide his shame, as was decreed for man and woman
+what time the thane of glory with a sword of fire behind our
+first great parents locked the gates of life.
+
+(ll. 1577-1588) Then Ham, the son of Noah, went in where his lord
+lay sleeping, and would not look with reverence upon his father,
+nor cover his shame.  But he laughed, and told his brothers how
+their lord lay sleeping in his home.  And straightway, covering
+their faces with their cloaks, they went in unto the well-beloved
+to bring him succour.  For both were good of heart, both Shem and
+Japheth.
+
+(ll. 1588-1603) Then the son of Lamech awoke from his slumber,
+and learned that Ham had failed to show him reverence or love
+when he had greatest need.  And the holy man was grieved in his
+heart, and set a curse upon his son, saying that Ham should be an
+outcast under heaven and servant to his kinsmen on the earth. 
+And the curse lay heavy upon him and on all his tribe.  And Noah
+and his sons as freemen ruled a wide-stretching realm for three
+hundred and fifty winters of this life, after the flood.  Then he
+went hence.  And his sons possessed his wealth, and begat
+children and prospered.
+
+(ll. 1603-1616) Children were born unto Japheth, a glad
+hearth-band of sons and daughters.  He was a godly man, enjoying
+bliss and blessing with his children, until his soul within his
+breast, ready to depart, must needs go forth unto the glory of
+God.  And Gormer, Japheth's son, dispensed his father's treasure
+among his friends and kinsmen, near and dear.  And no little
+portion of the earth was filled with their increase.
+
+(ll. 1616-1628) Likewise sons were born unto Ham.  The names of
+the eldest were called Cush and Ham, two goodly youths, his
+first-born sons.  And Cush was ruler of his tribe, dispensing joy
+and worldly wealth and treasure unto his brothers in his father's
+stead, after Ham died, and his soul departed from this earthly
+body.  He ruled his tribe and gave them laws until his days were
+run.  Then he gave over earthly riches and sought another life
+and his Father's bosom.
+
+(ll. 1628-1636) And the first-born son of Cush, a far-famed man,
+held his ancestral seat.  The writings tell us that of all men
+then alive his strength and power were greatest.  He was lord of
+the kingdom of Babylon, and first of princes to exalt her glory. 
+He enlarged her borders and brought her fame.
+
+
+XXV
+
+(ll. 1637-1639) Now there was yet one common tongue for all men
+on the earth.  And a great tribe was born of the stem of Ham and
+a mighty people spreading far and wide.
+
+(ll. 1640-1660) And Shem begat a host of free-born sons and
+daughters, and, after many winters, went to his last rest.  In
+that tribe men were good!  One of the sons of Shem was Eber, and
+from him sprang a countless race which all men dwelling in the
+earth call Hebrews.  They departed out of the east, taking with
+them all their substance, their cattle and their goods.  That was
+a dauntless folk!  The heroes sought a roomier land, a wandering
+folk, in mighty multitudes, and chose at last a fixed abode
+wherein to settle.  Far and wide in days of old the leaders of
+that people, with their well-loved men, possessed the land of
+Shinar, a land of green plains and pleasant valleys.  And at that
+time they prospered greatly, and had abundance of all good
+things.
+
+(ll. 1661-1678) Then many a man besought his friend, and one
+stout warrior urged another, that, before their multitude and the
+tribes of their people should be scattered again over the face of
+the whole earth in search of land, they should build a city to
+their glory and rear a tower unto the stars of heaven, to be a
+sign that they had sought the land of Shinar, where of old the
+mighty leaders of the folk had lived at ease.  And they sought
+out men for this work and deed of sin, in rash pride showing
+forth their strength.  Greedy for glory, they reared a city with
+their hands, and raised a ladder up to heaven, and in their vain
+strength built a wall of stone beyond the measure of men.
+
+(ll. 1678-1701) Then came Holy God to look upon the work of the
+children of men, the citadel and the tower which the sons of Adam
+were beginning to rear unto heaven.  Stern of heart, the King
+reproved their folly, and in His wrath confounded the tongues of
+the dwellers of earth, and they might not prosper in their
+speech.  Then the leaders of the work in pride of strength met
+together about the tower in many bands.  But no one band could
+understand another.  And they left off to build the wall of
+stone, and were wretchedly sundered into tribes divided by their
+speech.  And every tribe became alien to every other tribe, when
+the Lord in His might sundered the speech of men.  So the divided
+sons of men were scattered on four ways in search of land.  And
+behind them the steadfast tower of stone, and the high citadel,
+stood unfinished together in the land of Shinar.
+
+(ll. 1702-1718) Now the tribe of Shem increased and flourished
+under heaven.  And a certain man of that tribe, of thoughtful
+heart and given to virtue, had noble children.  Two goodly sons
+were born to him, and bred in Babylon, great-hearted princes
+named Abraham and Haran.  And the Lord of angels was their guide
+and friend.  Now Haran had a noble son, whose name was Lot.  And
+Abraham and Lot throve excellently before the Lord as was their
+nature from their elders.  Wherefore men proclaim their virtues
+far and wide upon the earth.
+
+
+XXVI
+
+(ll. 1719-1729) Then was the time fulfilled, and Abraham brought
+a wife unto his home, a fair and comely woman to his dwelling. 
+And her name was Sarah, as the writings tell us.  Many a winter
+they enjoyed the world, prospering in peace for many a year.  But
+it was not given unto Abraham that his comely wife should bear
+him children, or an heir unto his house.
+
+(ll. 1730-1743) And Abraham's father went out with his household,
+and with all their substance, journeying through the realm of the
+Chaldeans.  Fain would the wise lord with his kinsfolk seek the
+land of Canaan.  And Abraham and Lot, his kinsmen, dear to God,
+departed with him out of that country.  The noble sons of men
+chose them a dwelling in the land of Haran, and their wives with
+them.  And Abraham's father, the faithful, died in that land. 
+And all his years were two hundred and five winters, and he
+departed, full of years, to see God.
+
+(ll. 1744-1766) Then the Holy Warden of the heavenly kingdom,
+Eternal God, said unto Abraham: "Go forth from this place, and
+lead thy household and thy cattle with thee.  Get thee out of the
+land of Haran, and from thy father's home.  Journey as I bid
+thee, dearest of men; hearken to My teachings, and seek the land
+of green, wide-stretching plains, which I shall show thee. 
+Blessed shalt thou live in My protection.  If any of the dwellers
+of earth greet thee with evil, him will I curse for thy sake; and
+I will set My anger upon him and My enduring wrath.  But unto
+them that honour thee will I be gracious and give them all their
+heart's desire.  Through thee all nations dwelling in the earth
+shall have My peace and friendship, My bliss and blessing in the
+world.  The number of thy tribe, thy sons and daughters, shall be
+increased beneath the heavens, until the earth and many a land
+shall be filled with thy seed."
+
+(ll. 1767-1786) And Abraham, great in virtue and blessed with
+gold and silver, departed with much substance out of the land of
+Haran, leading his herds and his possessions, even unto the
+borders of the Egyptians, according as our God, the Lord of
+victory, commanded by His word, and sought a dwelling in the land
+of Canaan.  Beloved of God, he came with gladness to that land,
+and his wife with him, the dear companion of his bed, and the
+wife of his brother's son.  And his years were five-and-seventy
+winters when he went out from the land of Haran, and from his
+kinsmen.  And Abraham was mindful of the words of the Almighty
+Father, and journeyed through all the borders of that people, at
+his Lord's behest, to view the land afar, and came at last in
+safety, with undaunted heart, to Sichem and the Canaanites.  And
+the Just Lord, the King of angels, revealed Himself to Abraham
+and said:
+
+(ll. 1787-1790) "This is the roomy land, the beautiful, green
+realm, adorned with increase, which I will give thy seed to
+rule."
+
+(ll. 1790-1804) And there the prince builded an altar to the
+Lord, and offered up a sacrifice to God, the Lord of life,
+Protector of all souls.  And Abraham departed again out of the
+east to view with his eyes this best of lands (and he was mindful
+of the gracious promise which the Heavenly Warden, the Lord of
+victory, had given by His holy word) until they came with their
+multitudes unto a village called Bethel.  Out of the east their
+leader, blithe of heart, and his brother's son, Godfearing men,
+journeyed with all their substance through far-famed lands, and
+over high, steep hills, and chose a dwelling where the fields
+seemed wondrous fair.
+
+
+XXVII
+
+(ll. 1805-1810) And again Abraham builded an altar, calling
+earnestly on God, and offered sacrifice unto the Lord of life. 
+And God was gracious, and with unsparing hand granted him reward
+upon the altar.
+
+(ll. 1811-1823) And for a time thereafter the prince abode in his
+dwellings, and his wife with him, enjoying all good things, until
+a grievous famine fell upon the tribes of Canaan, and bitter
+hunger, grim as death to men within their homes.  Then Abraham,
+wise of heart, and chosen of the Lord, betook him into Egypt to
+seek a place of refuge.  The faithful hero fled from that
+affliction; too bitter was the woe.  And, in the wisdom of his
+heart, when he beheld the gabled palaces and high-walled towns of
+the Egyptians gleaming brightly, Abraham began to speak unto his
+wife and counsel her:
+
+(ll. 1824-1843) "Lo!  many a proud Egyptian shall behold thy
+beauty, maiden of elfin grace!  And if one look upon thee with
+desire, thinking thou art my wife, I fear lest, in his longing
+for thy love, some foe may slay me with the sword.  Therefore,
+Sarah, say thou art my sister and my kin, if any stranger
+question what the bond may be between us two of alien race and
+distant home.  Conceal the truth!  So shalt thou save my life if
+God, our Lord Almighty, who sent us on this journey, that we
+might strive for honour and advantage among the Egyptians, will
+grant me His protection as of old, and longer life."
+
+(ll. 1844-1872) So Abraham, the dauntless earl, came journeying
+with all his substance into Egypt, where men were alien to him
+and friends unknown.  And many a proud earl, great in glory,
+found the woman fair; to many a bold thanes of the king she
+seemed of royal beauty; and this they told their lord.  They
+little thought of any fairer maid, but praised the winsome
+loveliness of Sarah more highly to their prince, until he bade
+them bring the lovely woman to his hall.  And the lord of men,
+dispenser of treasure, bade them show honour upon Abraham.  But
+the Lord God visited His anger upon Pharaoh because of his love
+of the woman; bitterly the prince of men atoned, and all his
+household.  He knew why the Lord afflicted him with plagues! 
+Then the prince of Egypt called Abraham before him, who was sore
+afraid; and he gave him his wife again and his consort, and bade
+him seek friends elsewhere, other princes and another folk.  And
+he bade his thanes and serving men conduct him, uninjured and
+with honour, out from among that people, that he might be at
+peace.
+
+(ll. 1873-1889) So Abraham took his possessions and went out from
+the land of Egypt.  Brave men conveyed the maiden, the bride with
+rings adorned, and they led their flocks and earthly riches unto
+Bethel to their olden dwellings again, wife and wealth and
+worldly treasure.  They began to build there, to found a city,
+and renew their halls and establish a home.  And they builded an
+altar in the plain near that which Abraham had built aforetime to
+his God, when he came out of the west.  And there the blessed man
+of noble heart gave praise anew unto the name of the Eternal
+Lord, offering sacrifice unto the Prince of angels, and giving
+thanks abundantly unto the Lord of life for all His grace and
+mercy.
+
+(ll. 1890-1900) Then Abraham and Lot abode in that place, having
+the fullness of their desires, enjoying bliss, until no longer
+could they prosper in that land together, with their possessions,
+but those righteous men must needs seek elsewhere some roomier
+dwelling-place.  For often quarrels rose between the followers of
+these faithful men, and strife among their shepherds.  Then holy
+Abraham, mindful of honour, spake fairly unto Lot:
+
+(ll. 1900-1919) "I am thy father's brother in blood kinship, and
+thou my brother's son.  No strife shall rise, no feud grow up,
+between us two.  God will not suffer that.  We two are kinsmen;
+naught else shall there be between us save goodness and enduring
+love.  Now, Lot, take thought how strong men dwell about our
+borders, mighty tribes with thanes and allies, men of valour, the
+tribe of the Canaanites and the tribe of the Perizzites.  They
+will not give us of their land!  Therefore let us go forth from
+this place, and seek out roomier fields.  I give good counsel,
+son of Haran, for us both, and speak the truth.  I give thee
+choice, my son!  Take thought, and ponder in thy heart on which
+hand thou wilt bend thy course, thou and thy cattle.  The choice
+is thine!"
+
+(ll. 1920-1944) Then Lot departed to view the green earth and the
+land that lies by Jordan.  And it was watered with rivers, and
+covered with pleasant fruits, bright with running streams, and
+like the Paradise of God before our Lord gave over Sodom and
+Gomorrah unto fire and black flame, because of the sins of men. 
+And there the son of Haran chose him a dwelling and a settlement
+in the city of Sodom.  And thither he took from Bethel all his
+substance, rings and household treasure and riches and twisted
+gold.  And he abode by Jordan many a year.  The place was fair,
+but those that dwelt therein were impious and hateful unto God. 
+The race of Sodomites were bold in sin, in deeds perverse,
+working eternal folly.  Lot would not adopt the customs of that
+people, but turned him from their practices, their sin and shame,
+though he must needs dwell in the land.  He kept him pure and
+spotless and of patient heart among that people, mindful of God's
+commands, most like as if he knew not what that nation did.
+
+(ll. 1945-1959) And Abraham abode thenceforth in the dwellings of
+the Canaanites.  And the Lord of men, the King of angels, was his
+defender, granting him his heart's desires and worldly wealth and
+love and favour.  Wherefore the tribes of men, the children of
+baptism, exalt his praise full widely under heaven.  He served
+the Lord with gladness while he lived on earth, holy and wise of
+heart.  Never need any man lack shelter or defence, nor be afraid
+and fearful before God, whoso, in return for His protection, with
+discerning heart, with wit and word and understanding, in thought
+and deed will serve Him till his death!
+
+
+XXVIII
+
+(ll. 1960-1972) Then, as I have heard, Chedorlaomer, king of the
+Elamires, a bold folk-captain, marshalled an army, and Amraphel
+of Shinar and a mighty host were joined with him.  Four kings
+with a great multitude departed into the south against Sodom and
+Gomorrah.  And all the land about Jordan was overrun with armed
+men and hostile bands.  Many a trembling maiden, pale with fear,
+must needs endure a foe's embrace.  Many a warrior perished, sick
+with wounds, guarding their wives and treasure.
+
+(ll. 1973-1989) Against them from the south five kings went forth
+to war with battle-hosts and marching squadrons.  Fain would they
+guard the city of Sodom against the foe.  Twelve winters long
+that folk had given toll and tribute to the Northmen, and would
+no more enrich the lord of Elam with their treasure, but they
+rebelled against him.  Onward the hosts advanced, intent on
+death.  (Loud sang the javelins.)  Amid the spears the blackbird,
+dewy-feathered, croaked in hope of carrion.  In multitudes, with
+steadfast hearts, the warriors hastened till the hosts were
+gathered from afar, from south and north, helmeted men.
+
+(ll. 1989-2003) Then was hard hand-play; crashing of weapons,
+storming of death-darts, tumult of battle.  From out the sheaths
+men snatched their ring-decked, keen-edged swords.  There might
+an earl have his fill of fighting, whoso was not yet sated with
+war.  The Northmen smote the people of the south.  In the shock
+of shields the men of Sodom and Gomorrah, dispensers of gold,
+lost many a well-loved comrade.  And they fled away from the
+place of battle and saved their lives.  Behind them, slain with
+spears and smitten with the swordedge, their well-loved comrades,
+sons of princes, fell in death.
+
+(ll. 2003-2017) And the lord of Elam had the victory, and held
+the place of battle; and those who escaped the sword fled away to
+seek a stronghold.  The foemen took their gold and sacked their
+splendid treasure-cities, Sodom and Gomorrah.  Women were torn
+from their sheltering homes, widow and maid, bereft of friends. 
+And the foe led Abraham's kinsman captive out of the city of
+Sodom, with all his substance.  But truly may we tell these war
+wolves' fate after the battle, boasting their victory, leading
+Lot captive away, and with him the goods of the people and gold
+of the Southmen.
+
+
+XXIX
+
+(ll. 2018-2038) For a certain man who survived the battle and the
+sword came running unto Abraham, the Hebrew prince, and told him
+the disaster, the fate of Lot, and how the men of Sodom, and
+their strength, were sorely smitten.  And Abraham told these
+tidings to his friends; the faithful man besought his well-loved
+comrades, Aner and Mamre and Eshcol, to bear him aid, saying that
+it was grievous to his heart and greatest of all sorrows, that
+his brother's son should suffer thraldom.  He bade those valiant
+men devise a plan to free his kinsman, and his wife with him. 
+And quickly the three brothers spake, and healed the sorrow of
+his heart with manful words, and pledged their faith to Abraham
+to aid him, and avenge his wrath upon his foes, or fall in death.
+
+(ll. 2039-2059) Then the holy man bade his hearth-retainers take
+their weapons.  Three hundred and eighteen wielders of the ashen
+spear he gathered, loyal-hearted men, of whom he knew that each
+would stoutly bear his linden shield to battle.  And Abraham went
+out, and the three earls who had pledged their faith, together
+with a great company of their people.  He would fain redeem his
+kinsman, Lot, from his distress.  Brave were the warriors,
+stoutly bearing their bucklers upon the march.  And when these
+war-wolves had journeyed nigh unto the camp, the son of Terah,
+wise of heart, bespake his captains (great was his need that they
+should wage grim war on either flank, and hard hand-play against
+the foe) and said that easily the Holy, Everlasting Lord could
+speed their fortunes in the spear-strife.
+
+(ll. 2060-2083) Then, in the shades of night, as I have heard,
+the warriors dared the battle.  In the camp rose din of shields
+and spears, death of bowmen, crash of battle arrows.  Bitterly
+the sharp spears pierced the hearts of men.  In throngs their
+foemen, warriors and comrades, fell in death, where laughing they
+had borne away the spoil.  And victory and glory of war forsook
+the strife of the Northmen.  No twisted gold did Abraham offer in
+ransom for his brother's son, but battle; he smote and slew the
+foe in war.  And the Lord of heaven smote in his behalf.  Four
+armies fled, the kings and captains of the folk.  Behind them lay
+the goodly host of hearth-retainers, cold in death, and in their
+track lay those who sacked the homes of Sodom and Gomorrah, and
+bore away the young men and the gold.  Lot's uncle gave them grim
+requital!  And the lords of the army of Elam, shorn of their
+glory, continued in flight until they came nigh unto Damascus.
+
+(ll. 2083-2095) Then Abraham betook him to the track of their
+retreat, and beheld the flight of the foe.  Lot was redeemed, and
+his possessions; the women returned with joy.  Far and wide upon
+the field of slaughter the birds were tearing at the bodies of
+those foemen of the free.  And Abraham brought the treasure of
+the Southmen, their wives and children, unto their homes again,
+and maidens to their kinsmen. Never did any man of living men
+with tiny band go forth more worthily to battle than those who
+rushed against that mighty host.
+
+
+XXX
+
+(ll. 2096-2106) Southward the tidings of battle were borne to the
+people of Sodom: news of their fierce foes' flight.  The lord of
+the folk, bereft of earls and desolate of friends, went out unto
+Abraham, to meet him.  And with him journeyed Salem's
+treasure-warden, Melchizedek the mighty, the bishop of the folk. 
+He came with gifts, gave Abraham fair greeting, the lord of armed
+men, and blessed him with God's blessing, and said:
+
+(ll. 2107-2120) "Well hast thou borne thee among men, before His
+eyes who gave thee glory in the battle -- that is, God the Lord,
+who brake the power of thy foes, and let thee hew thy way to
+safety with the sword, regain the spoil, and fell thine enemies. 
+They perished in the track of their retreat.  The marching host
+throve not in battle, but God put them to flight.  With His hands
+He shielded thee against the force of greater numbers in the
+battle because of the holy covenant which thou dost keep with the
+Lord of heaven."
+
+(ll. 2121-2125) And the prince laid his hand upon him and blessed
+him, and Abraham gave a tenth part of all the booty unto the
+bishop of God.  Then unto Abraham spake the battle-king, the
+prince of Sodom, bereft of his warriors (he had need of favour):
+
+(ll. 2126-2135) "Restore me now the maidens of my people whom
+thou hast rescued with thy host from evil bondage.  Keep thou the
+twisted gold that was my people's, the wealth and treasure.  But
+let me lead again in freedom to their native land and wasted
+dwellings the children of my people, the women and lads and
+widows in their affliction.  Our sons are dead and all our
+nobles, save a few only who must guard with me the marches of our
+land."
+
+(ll. 2136-2138) And straightway, crowned with valour and victory
+and glory, Abraham made answer before the earls.  Right nobly
+spake he:
+
+(ll. 2139-2160) "I say to thee, O prince of men, before the Holy
+Lord of earth and heaven, there is no worldly treasure I will
+take, nor scot nor shilling of what I have redeemed for thee
+among the bowmen, great prince and lord of men, lest that thou
+afterward shouldest say that I grew rich with the riches of Sodom
+and its olden treasure.  But thou mayest take hence with thee all
+that booty which I won for thee in battle, save only the portion
+of these lordly men, of Aner, and of Mamre, and of Eshcol.  I
+will not willingly deprive these warriors of their right, for
+they upheld me in the shock of battle and fought to thine
+advantage.  Depart now, taking home the well-wrought gold, and
+lovely maidens, the daughters of thy people.  Thou needest not to
+dread the onrush of thy foes, or war of the Northmen, but the
+blood-stained birds of prey are resting on the mountain slopes,
+gorged with the slain of their armies."
+
+(ll. 2161-2167) Then the king departed to his home with the booty
+which the holy Hebrew prince, mindful of honour, had given him. 
+And the Lord of heaven appeared again unto Abraham, comforting
+the noble man of heart with holy speech, and said:
+
+(ll. 2168-2172) "Great shall be thy reward!  Let not thy heart be
+shaken, doing My will.  Thou needest have no whit of dread if
+thou wilt keep My precepts, but I will shield thee with My hands,
+and shelter thee from every evil, so long as thy life endureth. 
+Be not afraid."
+
+
+XXXI
+
+(ll. 2173-2186) And Abraham, full of years and noble deeds, made
+answer to his Lord and asked: "What comfort canst Thou give me,
+Lord of spirits, who am thus desolate?  No need have I to heap up
+treasure for any child of mine, but after me my kinsmen shall
+enjoy my wealth.  Thou grantest me no son, and therefore sorrow
+presseth on my heart.  I can devise no counsel.  My steward goeth
+to and fro rejoicing in his children, and firmly thinketh in his
+heart that after me his sons shall be my heirs.  He seeth that no
+child is born to me."
+
+(ll. 2187-2215) And straightway God made answer unto him: "Never
+shall son of thy steward inherit thy goods; but thine own son
+shall have thy treasure when thy flesh lieth cold.  Behold the
+heavens!  Number their jewels, the shining stars, that shed their
+wondrous beauty far and wide, and blaze so brightly over the
+spacious sea.  So shall thy tribe be and thy seed for number. 
+Let not thy heart be troubled.  Yet shall thy wife conceive and
+bear a son, great in goodness, to be warden of thy wealth, when
+thou art gone.  Be not cast down.  I am the Lord who, many a year
+ago, brought thee forth from out the land of the Chaldeans, with
+but a few, and gave thee this wide realm to rule.  I give thee
+now My promise, prince of Hebrews, thy seed shall settle many a
+spacious kingdom, the regions of the world from the Egyptian
+borders even unto Euphrates, and where the Nile hems in a mighty
+land and the sea limits it.  All this shall thy sons inhabit;
+each tract and tribal realm and lofty stone-built city,
+whatsoever those three waters and their foaming floods encircle
+with their streams."
+
+(ll. 2216-2219) Now Sarah's heart was heavy that she bare no
+goodly son to gladden Abraham; with bitter grief she spake unto
+her husband:
+
+(ll. 2220-2233) "The Lord of heaven hath denied me to increase
+thy tribe, or bear thee children under heaven.  I have no hope
+that we shall have a son to stay our house.  My heart is sad.  My
+lord, do now according as I bid thee.  Here is a virgin subject
+unto thee, a comely maid, a daughter of the Egyptian people.  Bid
+her go quickly to thy bed and thou shalt prove if by this woman
+the Lord will send an heir unto thy house."
+
+(ll. 2234-2246) And the blessed man gave ear unto the woman's
+counsels, and bade his handmaid go unto his bed, according as his
+wife had counselled him.  And the maiden conceived by Abraham,
+and her heart grew arrogant.  She stubbornly began to vex her
+mistress, was insolent, insulting, evil-hearted, and would not
+willingly be subject to her, but straightway entered into strife
+with Sarah.  Then, as I have heard, the woman told her sorrow to
+her lord, speaking with bitter grief:
+
+(ll. 2247-2255) "Thou hast not done me right or justice!  Since
+first my handmaid, Hagar, knew thy bed, according as I counselled
+thee, thou sufferest her to vex me day by day in word and deed. 
+But her atonement shall be bitter if I may still rule over my own
+maid, dear Abraham.  And may Almighty God, the Lord of lords, be
+judge between us."
+
+(ll. 2256-2260) And straightway Abraham, wise of heart, made
+answer: "Never will I let thee be dishonoured while we two live. 
+But thou shalt deal with thine handmaid even according as it
+pleaseth thee."
+
+
+XXXII
+
+(ll. 2261-2270) Then was the wife of Abraham hard of heart and
+hostile-minded, ruthless, and merciless against her handmaid, and
+bitterly declared her hate.  And the maiden fled from thraldom
+and oppression, and would not brook punishment or retribution for
+what she wrought against Sarah.  But she fled into the
+wilderness.  And there a thane of glory, an angel of the Lord,
+found her sad of heart and questioned her:
+
+(ll. 2271-2272) "Whither art thou hastening, unhappy girl,
+handmaid of Sarah?"
+
+(ll. 2273-2279) And straightway she answered him: "Devoid of all
+good things, in misery, I fled away out of my dwelling, from the
+hate of my lady, from injury and wrong.  Here in the wilderness
+with tear-stained face I shall abide my doom, when from my heart
+grim hunger or the wolf shall tear my soul and sorrow."
+
+(ll. 2280-2295) And the angel answered her: "Seek not to flee
+away and leave thy lord, but return again, deserve honour, be of
+humble heart, constant in virtue, and faithful to thy lord. 
+Thou, Hagar, shalt bring forth a son to Abraham.  And I say unto
+thee that men shall call him Ishmael.  He shall be terrible, and
+swift to war; his hand shall be against the tribes of men, his
+kinsmen.  Many shall war upon him bitterly.  And from that prince
+shall spring a race and an unnumbered tribe.  Return again to
+seek thy lord, and dwell with them that have thee in possession."
+
+(ll. 2296-2305) And she hearkened unto the angel's counsel, and
+returned again unto her lord, according as the holy messenger of
+God commanded in words of wisdom.  And Abraham had lived for
+six-and-eighty winters in the world when Ishmael was born.  And
+the boy grew strong and throve according as the angel, the
+faithful minister of peace, had told the maid.  And after
+thirteen years the Lord, Eternal God, said unto Abraham:
+
+(ll. 2306-2325) "Dearest of men, keep well our covenant as I
+shall show thee, and I will prosper thee and honour thee in every
+season.  Be swift to work My will.  I will be mindful of the
+covenant and pledge I gave thee to thy comfort, because thy soul
+was sad.  Thou shalt sanctify thy household, and set a
+victor-sign on every male, if thou wilt have in Me a lord or
+faithful friend unto thy people.  I will be lord and shepherd of
+this folk if ye will serve Me in your hearts, and keep My laws. 
+And each male child that cometh into the world, among this
+people, shall be devoted unto Me in seven nights' time, by the
+victor-token, or else cut off from all the world with
+persecution, and exiled from all good.
+
+(ll. 2325-2337) "Do as I bid thee: I will be gracious unto you if
+ye will use that token of true faith.  Thy wife shall bear a son,
+and men shall call him Isaac.  Thou shalt not need to shame thee
+for him, but I will grant him grace divine, by My great might,
+and many a friend.  He shall receive My blessing and My bliss, My
+love and favour.  From him shall spring a mighty people and many
+a valiant leader, rulers of kingdoms, lords of the world,
+renowned afar."
+
+
+XXXIII
+
+(ll. 2338-2347) Then Abraham laid his face upon the ground and
+pondered these sayings in his heart with scorn.  For he deemed
+that never the day would come when Sarah, his greyhaired wife,
+would bear a son.  Full well he knew that she had lived an
+hundred winters in the world.  And full of years he spake unto
+the Lord:
+
+(ll. 2348-2352) "May Ishmael live according to Thy laws, O Lord,
+and render Thee a thankful and a steadfast spirit, an earnest
+heart to do Thy will, by night and day, in word and deed."
+
+(ll. 2353-2354) And graciously Eternal God, Almighty Lord, made
+answer:
+
+(ll. 2355-2369) "Yet shall Sarah bear a son, though old in
+winters, and fate shall be fulfilled according to My word.  I
+will bless Ishmael, thy firstborn, with My blessing as thou dost
+ask, that his days may be long in the land, and his race may
+multiply.  This will I grant thee.  So also will I prosper Isaac,
+thy younger son, who is not yet born, with every good and
+pleasant thing all the days of his life.  And I will surely keep
+My covenant with him and holy faith, and show him favour."
+
+(ll. 2370-2381) And Abraham did even as Eternal God commanded,
+and, in accordance with his Lord's behest, he set the sign of the
+covenant upon his son, and bade his bondmen also bear that holy
+token.  He was wise of heart, and mindful of the covenant and
+pledge which God had given him, and he himself received the
+glorious sign.  God, the Mighty King, increased his glory in the
+world.  And he strove in all his ways to work the will of his
+Lord....
+
+((LACUNA -- One leaf missing))
+
+(ll. 2382-2389) But the woman laughed at the Lord of hosts with
+derision; full of years, she pondered those sayings in her heart
+with scorn.  She had no faith that His words would be fulfilled. 
+And when the Lord of heaven heard that in her bower the wife of
+Abraham laughed in unbelief, then spake the Holy God:
+
+(ll. 2390-2398) "Lo!  Sarah trusteth not My word.  Yet all shall
+be fulfilled according as I promised thee in the beginning.  I
+tell thee truly, at this self-same season thy wife shall bear a
+son.  And when I come again unto this dwelling My word shall be
+fulfilled, and thine eyes shall behold thy son, dear Abraham."
+
+
+XXXIV
+
+(ll. 2399-2407) And alter these words they departed swiftly away
+from the place of oracle.  The holy spirits turned their steps
+(and the Prince of light was their companion) till they beheld
+high Sodom's city-walls.  They saw high halls towering above
+precious treasure and mansions above ruddy gold.  And the
+Righteous Lord of heaven held long discourse with Abraham:
+
+(ll. 2408-2418) "I hear loud tumult in this city and brawling of
+sinful men, the boastful words of tipplers drunk with ale, and
+evil speech of multitudes within their walls.  Heavy are the sins
+of this people and the offences of these faithless men.  But I
+will search out what this people do, O Hebrew prince, and whether
+they sin so greatly in their thoughts and deeds as their evil
+tongues speak fraud and guile.  Verily brimstone and black flame,
+bitter and grim and fiercely burning, shall visit vengeance on
+these heathen folk...."
+
+((LACUNA -- One leaf missing.))
+
+
+XXXV
+
+(ll. 2419-2437) And so these men abode their punishment and woe
+within their walls, and their wives with them.  Proud in their
+strength, they repaid God evil for good until the Lord of
+spirits, Prince of life and light, could no longer withhold His
+wrath.  Stern of heart, God sent two mighty messengers among them
+who came at even-tide unto the city of Sodom.  They came upon a
+man sitting in the gate of the city, even the son of Haran, and
+they appeared as young men before the eyes of the sage.  Then the
+servant of the Lord arose and went unto the strangers, and
+greeted them with kindness; he was mindful of what is right and
+fitting among men, and offered them a shelter for the night.  And
+the noble messengers of God made answer:
+
+(ll. 2438-2440) "We thank thee for the favour thou hast showed
+us.  Yet do we think to bide here quietly beside this street
+until the time of the dawn, when God shall send again the sun."
+
+(ll. 2441-2453) Then Lot fell at their feet, and knelt upon the
+ground before his guests, and offered them food and rest, the
+shelter of his house, and entertainment.  And they accepted the
+kindness of the prince with thanks, and went in quickly with him
+unto his dwelling as the Hebrew earl pointed them the way.  And
+the lordly hero, wise of heart, gave them fair entertainment in
+his hall, until the evening light vanished away.  Then night
+came, hard upon the heels of day, and clothed the ocean-streams
+with darkness, and all the glory of the world, seas and
+wide-stretching land.
+
+(ll. 2453-2466) Then in great throngs the dwellers of Sodom,
+young and old, undear to God, came to demand the strangers, in
+multitudes encompassed Lot about, and his guests.  They bade him
+lead the holy heralds out from the lofty hall into their power.
+Shamelessly they said that they would know these men.  Of decency
+they had no heed.  Then swiftly Lot arose, deviser of counsel,
+and went forth from his dwelling; the son of Haran, mindful of
+wisdom, spake unto all that gathering of men:
+
+(ll. 2467-2476) "Within my house two stainless daughters dwell. 
+(Neither of them yet has known a man.)  Do now as I bid you and
+forsake this sin.  Them will I give you rather than that ye work
+this shame against your nature, and grievous evil against the
+sons of men.  Take now the maidens and leave my guests in peace,
+for I will defend them against you before God, if so I may."
+
+(ll. 2477-2484) And all that multitude of godless men with one
+accord made answer unto him: "This seemeth meet and very right:
+that thou leave this land!  An exile, from afar thou camest to
+this country, desolate of friends, and lacking food.  And now
+wilt thou be judge over us, if so may be, and teach our people?"
+
+(ll. 2485-2499) Then, as I have heard, the heathen leaders laid
+hand on Lot and seized him.  But his guests, the righteous
+strangers, brought him aid, and drew him within his dwelling from
+out the clutches of these cruel men.  And straightway the eyes of
+all those standing round about were darkened; and suddenly the
+host of city-dwellers became blind.  They might not storm the
+halls, with savage hearts against the strangers, as they strove
+to do, but stoutly the ministers of God withstood them.  Lot's
+guests had sturdy strength, and smote the host with vengeance. 
+Fairly the faithful ministers of peace spake unto Lot:
+
+(ll. 2500-2512) "If thou have any son, or kinsman dear among this
+people, or any friend of these maidens whom we here behold, lead
+forth in haste from the city those dear to thee, and save thy
+life, lest thou too perish with these faithless men.  Because of
+the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah the Lord hath bidden give them
+over to fire and black flame, to smite the people in their
+dwellings with the pangs of death, and work His vengeance.  The
+hour is nigh at hand.  Flee upon the paths of earth, and save thy
+life.  To thee the Lord is gracious...."
+
+((LACUNA -- One leaf missing.))
+
+
+XXXVI
+
+(ll. 2513-2526) And straightway Lot made answer unto them: "I may
+not wander so far hence, afoot, in search of safety, with these
+women.  But ye may fairly show me love and friendship, and grant
+me grace and favour.  I know a little high-built town not far
+from here; there grant me rest and respite, in Zoar to find
+safety.  If ye will shield that lofty stronghold from the flame,
+we may abide there for a time secure, and save our lives."
+
+(ll. 2526-2534) And friendly was the righteous angels' answer:
+"Thou shalt receive this boon, since thou hast spoken of the
+city.  Go quickly to that stronghold, and we will grant thee
+peace and our protection.  We will not wreak God's vengeance on
+these faithless men, nor slay this sinful race, till thou hast
+brought thy children unto Zoar, and thy wife with them."
+
+(ll. 2535-2547) Then Abraham's kinsman hastened to the
+stronghold.  He swiftly journeyed with his women, and stayed not
+foot until he led his children into Zoar, under the city-gates,
+and his wife with them.  And when the sun arose, peace-candle of
+men, then, as I have heard, the Lord of glory sent brimstone out
+of heaven, black fire and raging flame, in vengeance upon men,
+because so long in days gone by they had displeased the Lord. 
+The Ruler of spirits gave them their reward!
+
+(ll. 2547-2561) And a great fear gripped the heathen race; din
+arose in their cities, wailing of sinful men, a wretched people
+at the point of death.  All that was green in the golden cities
+the flame devoured; likewise no little portion of the wide land
+round about was covered with flame and terror.  Fair groves and
+fruits of the earth were turned to ash and glowing ember, even as
+far as that grim vengeance swept the broad land of men.  A
+roaring flame, destroying all things high and spacious, consumed
+the wealth of Sodom and Gomorrah.  All this the Lord God
+destroyed, and the people with it.
+
+(ll. 2561-2575) But when Lot's wife heard the rushing flame, and
+dying men within the city, she looked behind her to that place of
+death.  Straightway, the writings tell us, she was changed into
+the likeness of a pillar of salt; and ever since, the image (far-
+famed is the story) has stood in silence where that bitter
+vengeance came upon her, because she would not heed the bidding
+of the thanes of glory.  Hard and high-towering in that spot of
+earth she must abide her fate, the doom of God, till time shall
+cease and the world vanish away.  That is a wonder which the Lord
+of glory wrought!
+
+
+XXXVII
+
+(ll. 2576-2599) And Abraham, the man of wisdom, went out alone at
+dawn and came again unto the place where he had spoken with his
+Lord.  Far and wide he saw the fatal smoke curling upward from
+the earth.  Pride had come upon that people and drunkenness, and
+they became too insolent in evil and bold in sin.  God's
+judgements they forgot, and truth, and Him who gave them wealth
+and blessing in their cities.  Wherefore the Prince of angels
+sent a consuming flame in punishment upon them.  But our Faithful
+Lord was gracious, and remembered Abraham, His beloved, as oft He
+did, and delivered Lot, his kinsman, when the multitude were
+slain.  Now Lot, the valiant, durst no longer dwell in that
+stronghold for fear of God, but he departed out of the city, and
+his children with him, to seek a dwelling far from the place of
+slaughter, and found, at last, a cave upon the slope of a high
+hill.  And Lot, the blessed, dear unto God and faithful, abode
+there many a day, and his two daughters with him....
+
+((LACUNA -- One leaf missing.))
+
+(ll. 2600-2620) Thus did they, and the elder daughter went in
+first unto their father's bed, as he lay drunk with wine.  And
+the old man knew not when the maidens came unto his bed, but his
+mind and wit were clouded within him, and, drunk with wine, he
+knew not the coming of the maids.  And the lovely sisters
+conceived, and bare sons unto their aged father.  Lot's older
+daughter called her son's name Moab.  And the younger called her
+son's name Ammon, as the sacred writings say.  Of these princes
+sprang a countless folk, two famous peoples.  One tribe men call
+the Moabites, a far-famed race; the other tribe men call the
+Ammonites.
+
+
+XXXVIII
+
+(ll. 2621-2627) Then the brother of Haran departed with his wife
+and household and with all his substance to be subject unto
+Abimelech.  And Abraham said unto men, of Sarah, his wife, "She
+is my sister," and thereby saved his life.  For well he knew he
+had few friends or kinsfolk among that people.  And the prince
+sent forth his thanes and bade them bring him Abraham's wife.
+
+(ll. 2628-2637) Then a second time, while dwelling among alien
+people, Abraham's wife was taken from her husband, and given into
+a stranger's arms.  But the Eternal Lord sustained them as He oft
+had done.  Our Saviour came at night unto the king as he lay
+drunk with wine.  The King of truth spake unto the prince in a
+dream, and in anger denounced him:
+
+(ll. 2638-2641) "The wife of Abraham hast thou taken from him,
+and for this deed of evil death shall smite thy soul within thy
+breast."
+
+(ll. 2641-2652) And, heavy with feasting, the lord of sin began
+to speak in his slumber: "O Prince of angels, wilt Thou ever, in
+Thine anger, suffer a life to fail which liveth with righteous
+ways and upright heart, and seeketh mercy at Thy hands?  I
+questioned not the woman, but she said that she was Abraham's
+sister.  And I have wrought no evil against her, nor any sin."
+
+(ll. 2653-2666) Then again a second time the Righteous Lord,
+Eternal God, spake unto him in his dream, and said: "O prince of
+men, if thou reck aught of longer living in the world, restore
+this woman unto Abraham to be his wife.  He is wise and
+righteous, and may behold the King of glory and speak with Him. 
+But thou shalt perish with thy goods and treasure, if thou
+withhold this woman from the prince.  But if that just and
+patient man will intercede for thee, he may prevail with Me to
+let thee live unharmed, enjoying blessings, friends, and treasure
+all the days of thy life."
+
+(ll. 2666-2674) Then in fear the warden of the people awoke from
+his slumber, and bade summon his counsellors.  Smitten with
+tenor, Abimelech told them the words of God.  And they feared
+God's vengeance on that deed, according to the dream.  Then the
+king in haste called Abraham before him.  The mighty prince said
+unto him:
+
+(ll. 2675-2690) "Tell me now what evil I have done thee, Hebrew
+prince, since first thou camest to our land with thy possessions,
+that now so fiercely thou shouldest lay a snare before me.  Lo,
+Abraham!  a stranger to this people, thou wouldest entrap us, and
+defile with sin.  Thou saidest Sarah was thy sister and thy kin! 
+Through her thou wouldest have done me grievous hurt and endless
+evil.  We harboured thee with honour, in friendly wise allotting
+thee a dwelling in this realm, and lands for thine enjoyment. 
+But in no friendly way dost thou reward or thank us for our
+favours."
+
+
+XXXIX
+
+(ll. 2691-2716) And Abraham answered: "I did it not in guile or
+hatred, nor yet to work thee any woe.  But I was far from mine
+own people, prince of men, and shielded me by craft from,
+violence and death.  Since Holy God first led me forth of old
+from the home of my lord and father, desolate of friends, I have
+visited many a people, many an alien race, and this woman with
+me.  And ever this fear was in my heart, seeing I was a stranger,
+lest some foe should slay me, and take this woman to himself. 
+Wherefore I said that Sarah was my sister, and this I told the
+war-smiths everywhere on earth where we two homeless needs must
+dwell with strangers.  And so I did in this land also, mighty
+prince, when I came under thy protection.  I knew not if the fear
+of God Almighty was among this people, when first I came here. 
+Therefore, with care, I hid from thee and from thy thanes the
+truth, that Sarah was my wife and shared my bed."
+
+(ll. 2717-2722) Then Abimelech began to endow Abraham with
+treasure, and gave him his wife again; and because he had taken
+his wife he gave him, to boot, wandering herds and servants and
+gleaming silver.  And the lord of men said also unto Abraham:
+
+(ll. 2723-2726) "Abide with us and choose thee a dwelling in this
+land, and an abode whereso it pleaseth thee; thee must I keep. 
+Be thou a faithful friend, and we will give thee riches."
+
+(ll. 2727-2735) And the dispenser of treasure spake also unto
+Sarah, and said: "No need hath Abraham, thy lord, to reproach
+thee, O maiden of elfin beauty, because thou hast trod my halls. 
+With gleaming silver will I make requital for this wrong.  Care
+not to go forth from this folk-land, seeking elsewhere unknown
+friends, but dwell ye here."
+
+(ll. 2736-2741) And Abraham did according to the bidding of the
+prince, accepting the friendship offered by his lord, with love
+and favour.  Dear was he unto God; knowing great blessedness and
+peace, and walking in his Lord's protection and under the shelter
+of His wings, so long as his life endured.
+
+(ll. 2742-2759) Yet was God still angered against Abimelech for
+the wrong he had wrought against Sarah and against Abraham, in
+severing the bonds of these beloved, man and wife.  He suffered
+woe and bitter punishment; the maidens, slave nor free, might not
+bear children to their lords, but God denied them, till holy
+Abraham prayed his Lord, Eternal God, for mercy.  And the Lord of
+angels granted him his prayer, and for the king restored
+fertility to man and maid, to slave and free.  The Lord of heaven
+suffered again their number to increase, their riches and
+possessions; and the Almighty Warden of mankind was merciful of
+heart unto Abimelech, as Abraham besought Him.
+
+(ll. 2760-2771) Then the Almighty Lord came unto Sarah, according
+to His word; our God, the Lord of life, fulfilled His promise to
+His dear ones, the man and woman.  His wife brought forth a son
+to Abraham, and, ere his mother had conceived him, the Prince of
+angels called him Isaac.  And Abraham with his own hand set the
+glorious sign upon him within the week his mother bare him.
+
+
+XL
+
+(ll. 2772-2777) And the boy grew strong and throve and his nature
+was noble.  Now Abraham had lived an hundred winters in the world
+when his wife, with thankful heart, brought forth a son.  And he
+had waited long for that event since first the Lord, by His own
+word, announced the day of joy.
+
+(ll. 2778-2783) And it came to pass upon a time that the woman
+saw Ishmael playing before Abraham as they sat with holy hearts
+at meat together, and all their household drank and revelled. 
+Then said his wife, the noble woman, to her lord:
+
+(ll. 2783-2791) "Beloved lord, and warden of treasure, grant me a
+boon!  Bid Hagar go forth from among us, and Ishmael with her. 
+No longer shall we dwell together, if I may rule and have my
+will.  Never shall Ishmael, after thee, divide the heritage with
+Isaac, my son, when thou hast given up the ghost from out thy
+body."
+
+(ll. 2791-2796) Then it grieved Abraham in his heart that he must
+drive his own son into exile; but God, the Just and Righteous,
+succoured him.  He knew that the heart of the man was heavy with
+sorrow.  The King of angels, the Eternal Lord, said unto Abraham:
+
+(ll. 2797-2803) "Let care and sorrow vanish from thy heart, and
+hearken unto the woman, thy wife.  Bid Hagar go forth from this
+land, and Ishmael, the lad, with her.  And I will multiply his
+race, and stablish them with ample blessings, as I have promised
+by My word."
+
+(ll. 2804-2806) And the man hearkened unto his Lord, and drove
+them forth in sadness from his dwelling, the woman and his
+son....
+
+((LACUNA -- One leaf missing.))
+
+(ll. 2807-2831) "Clear is it that the Just God, Lord of heaven,
+is with thee, granting thee triumph by His might and wisdom, and
+strengthening thy heart with grace divine.  Therefore ye throve
+in all your dealings, with friend or foe, in word or deed.  With
+His hands the Lord God prospered thee in all thy ways.  That is
+full widely known unto the city-dwellers!  Graciously grant me
+now, I pray thee, Hebrew prince, thy promise and thy pledge, that
+thou wilt be a faithful friend to me, according to the kindness I
+have done thee since, wretched and in exile, thou camest from
+afar unto this land.  Requite it now with kindness that I grudged
+thee not of land or favour.  Be gracious to this nation, my
+people, if the Lord our God, who ruleth the fates of men, will
+grant thee to extend the borders of this people, dealing out
+wealth to warriors of the shield, and treasure to the brave."
+
+(ll. 2832-2833) And Abraham gave a pledge unto Abimelech that he
+would do according to his prayer.
+
+
+XLI
+
+(ll. 2834-2845) And the Hebrew prince, the blessed son of Terah,
+abode a long time in the land of the Philistines, wretched and in
+exile.  And the Lord of angels assigned him a dwelling-place, and
+the city-dwelling sons of men call that land Beersheba.  There
+the holy man built a lofty city wherein to dwell, and planted a
+grove and raised an altar, and on the altar made ample offerings
+and sacrifice to God, who granted him life and blessing under
+heaven.
+
+(ll. 2846-2849) Then the Mighty Lord made a trial of the prince,
+and proved his strength, and sternly spake unto him, saying:
+
+(ll. 2850-2859) "Abraham!  Betake thee quickly on a journey, and
+with thee lead thine only son.  Thou shalt offer thy son Isaac
+unto Me in sacrifice.  When thou hast mounted the steep downs and
+the slope of the high land which I will show thee, there shalt
+thou build an altar, and kindle a flame, slay thy son with the
+sword, and burn his body with black flame, and offer it a
+sacrifice to Me."
+
+(ll. 2860-2877) He delayed not the journey, but swiftly made him
+ready.  For the word of the Lord of angels was terrible to him,
+and his Lord was dear.  The blessed Abraham rested not nor slept
+nor spurned his Lord's behest, but the holy man girded him with a
+grey sword, and showed that fear of the Lord of spirits abode in
+his heart.  The aged dispenser of gold began to saddle his asses,
+and bade two young men journey with him; his son was the third,
+and he the fourth.  And he went out from his house with Isaac,
+the lad, according as God commanded.  He went with speed and
+hastened on the paths of earth, according as the Lord marked out
+the way across the waste, until, in gleaming glory, the dawn of
+the third day arose over the deep water.
+
+(ll. 2877-2880) Then the blessed man beheld the high hills
+towering up, as the Lord of heaven had told him.  And Abraham
+said unto his servants:
+
+(ll. 2881-2884) "Abide ye here in this place, and we two will
+come again, when we have worshipped God."
+
+(ll. 2885-2889) And the prince and his son departed across the
+weald to the place which the Lord had showed him; the lad carried
+wood, and the father bare fire and sword.  And the lad, young in
+winters, spake unto Abraham and said:
+
+(ll. 2890-2892) "Here have we fire and sword, my lord!  But where
+is the fair burnt-offering thou thinkest to sacrifice to God?"
+
+(ll. 2893-2896) And Abraham answered (firm was his resolve to do
+as God had bidden): "That will the Righteous Lord, the Warden of
+mankind, provide as seemeth right to Him."
+
+(ll. 2897-2908) Stout of heart he mounted the high downs, and his
+son with him, according as Eternal God commanded, until he stood
+upon the ridge of the high land in the place which the Firm and
+Faithful Lord had showed him.  And there he built a pyre and
+kindled a flame and bound his son, hand and foot, and laid Isaac,
+the lad, on the altar, and seized his sword by the hilt.  With
+his own hand he would have slain him, and quenched the flame with
+the blood of his son.
+
+(ll. 2908-2913) Then a thane of God, an angel from on high,
+called unto Abraham with a loud voice.  In stillness he abode the
+herald's message and answered the angel.  Swiftly the glorious
+minister of God addressed him from the heavens:
+
+(ll. 2914-2922) "Slay not thy son, dear Abraham, but take the lad
+from the altar alive.  The God of glory is gracious unto him! 
+Great shall thy reward be, Hebrew prince, true meed of victory
+and ample gifts, at the holy hands of the Heavenly King.  The
+Lord of spirits will bless thee with His blessing because His
+love and favour were dearer unto thee than thine own son."
+
+(ll. 2923-2936) The altar-fire stood kindled.  The Lord of men
+had gladdened the heart of Abraham, kinsman of Lot, when He
+restored to him his son, alive.  And the blessed man, brother of
+Haran, looked over his shoulder and beheld a ram standing not far
+off, caught fast in the brambles.  And Abraham took it, and laid
+it upon the altar in the stead of his son, and drawing his sword
+made ready an offering and an altar smoking with the blood of the
+ram, and sacrificed that offering to God, and gave Him thanks for
+all the loving kindness which the Lord had showed him, early and
+late.
+
+
+
+EXODUS
+
+
+XLII
+
+(ll. 1-7) Lo!  far and wide throughout the earth we have heard
+how the laws of Moses, a wondrous code, proclaim to men reward of
+heavenly life for all the blessed after death, and lasting gain
+for every living soul.  Let him hear who will!
+
+(ll. 8-22) On him the Lord of hosts, the Righteous King, showed
+honour in the wilderness, and the Eternal Ruler gave him might to
+work great wonders.  He was beloved of God, a lord of men, a wise
+and ready leader of the host, a bold folk-captain.  Affliction
+came upon the tribe of Pharaoh, the enemy of God, when the Lord
+of victories entrusted to the bold folk-leader his kinsmen's
+lives, and gave the sons of Abraham a dwelling and an habitation. 
+Great was his reward!  The Lord was gracious unto him and gave
+him weapon-might against the terror of his foes, wherewith he
+overcame in battle many a warrior, and the strength of hostile
+men.
+
+(ll. 22-34) And first the Lord of hosts spake unto him and told
+him many wonders, how the Triumphant Lord in wisdom wrought the
+world, and the compass of the earth, and the arching heavens; and
+told His own name, which the sons of men, wise patriarchs of old,
+knew not before, though they knew many things.  And the Lord
+honoured the leader of the host, the foe of Pharaoh, and
+strengthened him with righteous strength on his departure, when,
+of old, in punishment that mighty host was drenched with death.
+
+(ll. 35-53) Wailing arose at the fall of their princes; their
+hall-joys were hushed and their treasure was scattered.  Fiercely
+at midnight He smote the oppressors, slaying their firstborn,
+laying their watchmen low.  Wide the destroyer's path, and the
+way of the fell folk-slayer!  The whole land mourned the dead. 
+The host departed.  Loud was the voice of their wailing, little
+their joy!  Locked were the hands of the laughter-makers; the
+multitude had leave to go its way, a wandering folk.  The Fiend
+was robbed and all the hosts of hell.  Heaven's might came upon
+them; their idols fell.  That was a glorious day through all the
+world when the host went forth!  Many a year the vile Egyptians
+suffered bondage, because they thought for ever to refuse to
+Moses' kinsmen, if God would let them, their longing for the
+journey of their heart's desire.
+
+(ll. 54-62) The host was ready.  The prince who led them was
+stalwart and bold.  He passed by many a stronghold with his
+people, leaders and lands of many hostile men, by narrow, lonely
+paths and unknown ways, until at last they marched, in armour,
+against the Ethiopian realm.  Their lands were covered with a
+cloud, their border-homes upon the mountain-slopes.  Past these,
+with many a hindrance, Moses led his people.
+
+
+XLIII
+
+(ll. 63-67) And two nights after they escaped their foes God bade
+the noble prince to make encampment about the town of Etham in
+the marchlands, with all his force, a mighty army, and tumult of
+the host.
+
+(ll. 68-88) With anxious hearts they hastened on their northward
+way; they knew that southward lay the Ethiop's land, parched
+hill-slopes and a race burned brown by the heat of the sun.  But
+Holy God shielded that folk against the fiery heat, stretching a
+covering over the flaming heavens, and over the burning air a
+holy veil.  A cloud widestretching severed earth from heaven, and
+led the host; burning and heavenly bright the fiery flame was
+quenched.  The warriors marvelled, most joyous of hosts.  The
+shelter of the day-shield moved across the heavens; God in His
+wisdom had covered the course of the sun with a sail, though
+earth-dwelling men knew not the mast-ropes, nor might behold the
+yards, nor understand the way in which that greatest of tents was
+fastened.  So He showed honour and glory upon the faithful!
+
+(ll. 88-97) Then was a third encampment to the comfort of the
+folk.  The army all beheld the holy sail, the gleaming marvel of
+the sky, towering above them.  And all that folk, the men of
+Israel, perceived that there the Lord of hosts was present to
+measure out a camp.  Before them moved two columns in the
+heavens, fire and cloud, sharing alike the service of the Holy
+Spirit, the journey of brave-hearted men, by day and night.
+
+(ll. 98-106) And in the dawn, as I have heard, the valiant-
+hearted blared forth their trumpetcalls, in peals of thunder. 
+And all the host, the band of the brave, arose and made them
+ready, according as Moses, their glorious leader, gave bidding to
+God's people.  They beheld their guide go forth before them
+measuring out the path of life.  The sail governed their journey,
+and after it, with joyful hearts, the seamen trod their path
+through the great waters.  Loud was the tumult of the host.
+
+
+LXIV
+
+(ll. 106-134) Each evening rose a heavenly beacon, a second
+wondrous marvel after the setting of the sun, a pillar of flame
+shining in splendour over the hosts of men.  Bright were its
+shining beams above the warriors; their bucklers gleamed, the
+shadows vanished away.  No secret place could hide the deep
+night-shadows.  Heaven's candle burned.  Needs must this new
+night warden watch above the host, lest in the stormy weather
+grey heath and desert-terror should overcome their souls with
+sudden fear.  Streaming locks of fire had their guide, and
+shining beams, menacing the host with flame and terror, and
+threatening destruction to that people in the waste, except they
+swiftly hearkened unto Moses.  Armour gleamed, and bucklers
+glistened as the warriors took their steadfast way.  And over the
+troops and high above the host stood the banner, moving as they
+moved, even unto the stronghold of the sea at the land's end. 
+And there they pitched a camp and rested, for they were weary. 
+Stewards brought the warriors food and strengthened them.  And
+when the trumpet sang they stretched themselves upon the hills,
+shipmen within their tents.  That was the fourth encampment and
+pause of the shield-men by the Red Sea.
+
+(ll. 135-141) There dread tidings of inland pursuit came unto the
+army.  A great fear fell upon them, and dread of the host.  So
+the exiles abode the coming of the fierce pursuers, who long had
+crushed those homeless men and wrought them injury and woe.  They
+heeded not the covenant which the ancient king had given
+aforetime....
+
+((LACUNA -- Two leaves missing.))
+
+
+XLV
+
+(ll. 142-153) ....who became the people's heir and had their
+treasure, and greatly throve.  All this the Egyptian race forgot
+when their wrath was stirred by a quarrel.  They wrought great
+wrong to Moses' kinsmen, broke the covenant, and slew them. 
+Their hearts were filled with faithlessness and rage, the mighty
+passions of men.  They would fain requite the gift of life with
+evil, that the people of Moses might pay for that day's work in
+blood, if almighty God would prosper their destructive journey.
+
+(ll. 154-169) Then the hearts of the earls were hopeless within
+them as they beheld the shining bands, the hosts of Pharaoh,
+marching from out the south, uplifting a forest of lances, with
+banners waving above them, a great host treading the
+border-paths.  Their spears were in array, shields gleamed and
+trumpets sang; the battle line rolled on.  Over dead bodies
+circling screamed the birds of battle, dewy-leathered, greedy for
+war, dark carrion lovers.  In hope of food, the wolves,
+remorseless beasts of slaughter, sang a grim eveningsong; dogging
+the march of the foe, they abode the coming of death; the march
+warders howled in the midnight.  The doomed soul fled; the host
+was compassed about.
+
+(ll. 170-199) Now and again the proud thanes of the host measured
+the mile-paths on their steeds.  The prince of men rode forth
+before the troops, the war-king raised the standard; the
+battle-warden bound on helm and chinguard (banners gleamed) in
+expectation of war, shook his armour, and bade his warlike host,
+his firm-ranked cohorts, go boldly into battle.  The foe beheld
+with hostile eyes the coming of the landsmen.  About him fearless
+fighters moved; grey wolves of war went forward to the onslaught
+thirsting for battle, loyal of heart.  He chose the flower of his
+people for that service, two thousand far-famed heroes of high
+birth, kings and kinsmen.  And each led out his men, and all the
+warriors that he well could muster in the appointed time.  The
+young men were gathered together, the kings in their pomp. 
+Frequently sounding, the we!l-known voice of the horn signalled
+the host where the war-troop of heroes should bear their arms. 
+So the dark horde was marshalled; throng after throng, in
+thousands, hasted thither, a countless host.  They were resolved,
+in vengeance for their brothers, to slay the tribes of Israel
+with the sword, at the break of day.
+
+(ll. 200-208) Then a sound of wailing arose in the camp, an
+evening-song of woe.  A great fear was upon them; the nets of
+death encompassed them about.  The fatal tidings flew abroad;
+tumult arose.  The foe were resolute, a horde in armour gleaming,
+until the mighty angel who upheld that host scattered the proud
+and hateful multitude, so that no more might one behold another's
+face; but their journey was divided.
+
+(ll. 209-220) All that long night the fugitives had respite,
+though foes beset them upon either hand, on the one side that
+great host, on the other side the sea.  They had no way of escape
+nor any hope of their inheritance, but halted on the hills in
+shining armour with foreboding of ill.  And all the band of
+kinsmen watched and waited for the coming of the greater host
+until the dawn, when Moses bade the earls with brazen trumpets
+muster the folk, bade warriors rise and don their coats of mail,
+bear shining arms, take thought on valour, and summon the
+multitude with signal-beacons unto the sandy shore of the sea.
+
+(ll. 220-232) The leaders bold obeyed the battle-signal; the host
+made ready.  The seamen heard the trumpet-summons, and struck
+their tents upon the hills.  The army was astir.  They numbered
+off twelve companies of valiant men to form the van of battle
+against their foes' grim wrath.  The host was in an uproar.  From
+every noble tribe among that people were chosen fifty cohorts,
+under shield, the flower of the folk.  And every cohort of that
+famous army was of a thousand warriors, far-famed wielders of the
+spear.
+
+(ll. 232-251) That was a warlike band.  The leaders of the army
+welcomed not among that number the weak, who yet because of youth
+could not defend them under board and byrnie against a wily foe,
+who never yet had known the baleful thrust, the bitter wound, the
+insolent play of the spear over the edge of the linden shield. 
+Nor might the aged, grey-haired warriors be of service in the
+battle if their strength had failed them.  But according to their
+strength they joined the fray, even according as their valour
+would endure with honour among men, and their strength suffice to
+undergo the spearstrife.  The army of these sturdy men was
+mustered, and ready to advance.  Their banner rose on high, a
+gleaming column, and all abode there nigh unto the sea until
+their guiding beacon pierced the clouds, and shone upon their
+linden shields.
+
+
+XLVI
+
+(ll. 252-258) Then a herald rose before the warriors, a valiant
+leader, and, lifting up his shield, he bade the captains of the
+host make silence, that all the multitude might hear the words of
+their brave lord.  The shepherd of the kingdom fain would speak
+with holy voice unto his legions.  The leader of the host in
+words of worth addressed them:
+
+(ll. 259-275) "Be not afraid though Pharaoh leadeth hither this
+mighty host of sword-men, a multitude of earls.  Upon them all
+this day Almighty God will give requital by my hand, that they
+may live no longer to vex the tribes of Israel with woe.  Ye
+shall not dread doomed armies and dead men.  Their fleeting life
+hath run unto the end.  The knowledge of God hath vanished from
+your hearts.  I give you better counsel, to serve the God of
+glory, and pray the Lord of life for victory and grace and
+safety, wherever ye may journey.  He is the Eternal God of
+Abraham, Creation's Lord, magnanimous and mighty, who with His
+strong hand guardeth all this host."
+
+(ll. 276-298) Then the lord of men spake with a loud voice before
+the multitude and said: "Look now, dearest of people, with your
+eyes and behold a marvel!  In my right hand grasping this green
+rod I smote the ocean depths.  The waves rise up; the waters form
+a rampartwall.  The sea is thrust aside.  The ways are dry: grey
+army-roads, ancient foundations (never have I heard in all the
+world that men before set foot thereon), shining plains,
+imprisoned deep sea-bottoms over which of old the great waves
+foamed.  The south wind, breath of the ocean, hath driven them
+back.  The sea is cleft asunder; the ebbing waters spewed up
+sand.  Well I know Almighty God hath showed you mercy, ye
+bronze-clad earls.  Most haste is best now, that ye may escape
+the clutch of foes since God hath reared a rampart of the red
+seastreams.  These walls are fairly builded to the roof of
+heaven, a wondrous wave-road."
+
+(ll. 299-309) And after these words the multitude arose, the host
+of the valiant.  The sea lay tranquil.  Upon the sand the legions
+raised their standards and shining linden shields.  And over
+against the Israelites the wall of water stood firm and upright
+for the space of one whole day.  Of one mind was that company of
+earls.  The wall of water shielded them with sure defence.  In no
+wise did they scorn their holy leader's counsels as the time for
+deeds drew near, when the words of their well-loved lord were
+ended, and the voice of his eloquence was still.
+
+(ll. 310-318) The fourth tribe led the way, a throng of warriors,
+marching through the sea upon the green sea-bottom.  The tribe of
+Judah trod that unknown road alone, before their kinsmen, and God
+Almighty gave them great reward for that day's work, granting
+them glory of triumphant deeds, that they might have dominion
+over kingdoms and sway their kinsmen.
+
+
+XLVII
+
+(ll. 319-330) As they descended on the oceanbottom that mighty
+tribe had lifted up their standard mid the spear-host, high above
+their shields their battle ensign, a golden lion, bravest of
+beasts.  Not long would they endure oppression by the lord of any
+people while they might live and lift their spears to battle.  In
+the van were strife and stubborn hand-play, warriors valiant in
+the weapon-struggle, fearless fighters, bloody wounds and clash
+of helmets, onrush of a battle-host, as Judah's sons advanced.
+
+(ll. 331-339) Behind that army proudly marched the seamen, sons
+of Reuben; the vikings bore their bucklers over the salt
+sea-marsh, a multitude of men, a mighty legion, advancing
+unafraid.  For his sin's sake Reuben yielded his dominion and
+marched behind his kinsmen.  From him his brother took his right
+as first-born in the tribe, his eminence and wealth.  Yet was he
+ready.
+
+(ll. 340-253) And after them with thronging bands the sons of
+Simeon marched, the third division.  Banners waved above the
+marching warriors; with flashing spears the battle troop pressed
+on.  Over the ocean's bosom dawn arose, God's beacon, radiant
+morning.  The multitude went forth, the host advanced, one
+mail-clad band behind another.  And one man only led this mighty
+folk, tribe after tribe, upon their march beneath the pillar of
+cloud, whereby he won renown.  And each observed the right of
+nations and the rank of earls, as Moses gave them bidding.
+
+(ll. 253-361) One father had they all, one of the patriarchs, a
+well-loved leader, wise of heart and dear unto his kinsmen, who
+held the landright and begat a line of valiant men, the tribe of
+Israel, a holy race, God's own peculiar people.  So ancient
+writers tell us in their wisdom, who best have known the lineage
+of men, their kinship and descent.
+
+(ll. 362-376) Noah, the great prince, sailed over unknown waters,
+deepest of floods that ever came on earth, and his three sons
+with him.  Within his heart he cherished holy faith.  Wherefore
+he steered across the oceanstreams the richest treasure whereof I
+ever heard.  To save the life of all the tribes of earth the wise
+sea-prince had numbered out a lasting remnant, a first
+generation, male and female, of every living kind that brought
+forth offspring, more various than men now know.  And likewise in
+the bosom of their ship they bore the seed of every growing thing
+that men enjoy beneath the heavens.
+
+(ll. 377-396) Now Abraham's father, as the wise men tell us, was
+ninth from Noah in lineage and descent.  This is the Abraham the
+God of angels named with a name, and gave the holy tribes into
+his keeping, far and near, and made him mighty over nations.  He
+lived in exile.  Thereafter, at the Holy One's behest, he took
+the lad, most dear of all to him, and they two, son and father,
+climbed together a high land unto the hill of Sion.  And there,
+so men have heard, they found a covenant and holy pledge, and saw
+God's glory.  And there, in after years, the son of David, the
+great king, the wisest of all earthly princes, according to the
+teaching of the prophets, built a temple unto God, a holy fane,
+the holiest and highest and most famous among men, the greatest
+and most splendid of all temples the sons of men have built upon
+the earth.
+
+(ll. 397-416) Abraham took Isaac, his son, and went to the place
+appointed, and kindled the altar flame.  The first of murderers
+was not more doomed.  As a bequest to men he would have
+sacrificed his well-loved son with fire and flame, his only heir
+on earth, the best of children, the lasting hope and comfort of
+his life, for which he long had waited.  The farfamed man laid
+hand upon the lad and drew his ancient sword (loud rang the
+blade), and showed he held his son's life not more dear than to
+obey the King of heaven.  Up rose the earl.  He would have slain
+his son, and put the lad to death with blood-red blade, if God
+had not withheld him.  The Glorious Father would not take his son
+in holy sacrifice, but laid His hand upon him.  And out of heaven
+a restraining Voice, a Voice of glory, spake, and said to him:
+
+(ll. 417-445) "Abraham!  Put not the lad, thy son, to death, nor
+slay him with the sword!  The Lord of all hath proven thee, and
+truth is known, that thou hast kept the covenant with God, a
+faithful compact.  And that shall be to thee an everlasting peace
+through all the days of thy life for ever.  Doth the son of man
+require a greater pledge?  Heaven and earth may not cover the
+words of His glory, which are ampler and greater than the regions
+of earth may include, the orb of the world, and the heavens
+above, the ocean depths and the murmuring air.  The King of
+angels and Wielder of fates, Lord oi hosts, Dispenser of victory,
+sweareth an oath by His life, that men on earth with all their
+wisdom shall never know the number of thy tribe and kinsmen,
+shield-bearing men, to tell it truly, except someone shall grow
+so wise of heart that he alone may number all the stones on earth
+and stars in heaven, sand of the sea-dunes, and salt waves of the
+sea.  But thy tribe, the best of peoples, free-born of their
+fathers, shall dwell in the land of Canaan between the two seas
+even unto the nations of Egypt...."
+
+((LACUNA -- One or two leaves missing.))
+
+XLVIII
+
+((Missing in Lacuna))
+
+
+XLIX
+
+(ll. 446-457) Then all that folk was smitten with terror; fear of
+the flood fell on their wretched hearts.  The great sea
+threatened death.  The sloping hills were soaked with blood; the
+sea spewed gore.  In the deep was uproar, the waves were filled
+with weapons; a death-mist rose.  The Egyptians turned and fled
+away in fear, perceiving their peril.  They were shaken with
+horror and fain to reach their homes.  Their boasting was
+humbled.  The dreadful rushing sea swept over them.  Nor did any
+of that army come ever again to their homes, but Fate cut off
+retreat and locked them in the sea.
+
+(ll. 457-470) Where before lay open roads the ocean raged.  The
+host was overwhelmed.  The seas flowed forth; an uproar rose to
+heaven, a moan of mighty legions.  There rose a great cry of the
+doomed, and over them the air grew dark.  Blood dyed the deep. 
+The walls of water were shattered; the greatest of sea-deaths
+lashed the heavens.  Brave princes died in throngs.  At the sea's
+end hope of return had vanished away.  War shields flashed.  The
+wall of water, the mighty sea-stream, rushed over the heroes. 
+The multitude was fettered fast in death, deprived of escape,
+cunningly bound.  The ocean-sands awaited the doom ordained when
+the flowing billows, the ice-cold, wandering sea with its salt
+waves, a naked messenger of ill, a hostile warrior smiting down
+its foes, should come again to seek its ancient bed.
+
+(ll. 470-491) The blue air was defiled with blood.  The roaring
+ocean menaced the march of the seamen with terror of death, till
+the Just God swept the warriors away by Moses' hand.  The flood
+foamed, hunting them afar, bearing them off in its deadly
+embrace.  The doomed men died.  The sea fell on the land; the
+skies were shaken.  The watery ramparts crumbled, the great waves
+broke, the towering walls of water melted away, when the Mighty
+Lord of heaven with holy hand smote the warriors and that haughty
+race.  They could not check the onrush of the sea, nor the fury
+of the ocean-flood, but it destroyed the multitude in shrieking
+terror.  The raging ocean rose on high; its waters passed over
+them.  A madness of fear was upon them; deathwounds bled.  The
+high walls, fashioned by the hand of God, fell in upon the
+marching army.
+
+(ll. 491-515) With ancient sword the foamy-bosomed ocean smote
+down the watery wall, the unprotecting ramparts, and at the blow
+of death the great host fell asleep, a sinful throng.  Fast shut
+in they lost their lives, an army pale with terror of the flood,
+when the brown waste of waters, the raging waves, broke over
+them.  The flower of Egypt perished when the host of Pharaoh, a
+mighty multitude, was drowned.  The foe of God discovered as he
+sank that the Lord of the ocean-floods was mightier than he, and,
+terrible in wrath, with deadly power would end the battle.  The
+Egyptians won a bitter recompense for that day's work.  Never
+came any survivor of all that countless host unto his home again
+to tell of his journey or rehearse to the wives of heroes,
+throughout the cities, the grievous tidings, the death of their
+treasure-wardens; but a mighty sea-death came upon them all and
+swallowed their legions, and slew their heralds, and humbled
+their boasting.  For they had striven against God!
+
+(ll. 516-531) Then on the shore of the sea Moses, the
+noble-hearted, preached to the Israelites, in holy words, eternal
+wisdom and enduring counsels.  They name it the day's work!  And
+still men find in Scripture every law which God, in words of
+truth, gave Moses on that journey.  If life's interpreter, the
+radiant soul within the breast, will unlock with the keys of the
+spirit this lasting good, that which is dark shall be made clear,
+and counsel shall go forth.  It hath the words of wisdom in its
+keeping, earnestly teaching the heart, that we may not lack the
+fellowship of God, or mercy of our Lord.  He giveth us, as
+learned writers say, the better and more lasting joys of heaven.
+
+(ll. 531-547) This earthly joy is fleeting, cursed with sin,
+apportioned unto exiles, a little time of wretched waiting. 
+Homeless we tarry at this inn with sorrow, mourning in spirit,
+mindful of the house of pain beneath the earth wherein are fire
+and the worm, the pit of every evil ever open.  So now
+arch-sinners win old age or early death; then cometh the Day of
+Judgment, the greatest of all glories in the world, a day of
+wrath upon the deeds of men.  The Lord Himself, in the assembly,
+shall judge the multitude.  Then shall He lead the souls of the
+righteous, blessed spirits, to heaven above, wherein are light
+and life and joy of bliss.  In blessedness that host shall praise
+the Lord of hosts, the King of glory, for ever and for ever.
+
+(ll. 548-552) So spake the mildest of men, in a loud voice,
+mindful of counsel, and made great in strength.  In silence the
+host awaited his fixed will, perceiving the wonder, the hero's
+words of goodly wisdom.  And he spalre unto the throng and said:
+
+(ll. 553-563) "Mighty is this multitude and great our Leader, a
+strong Support who governeth our march.  He hath given the tribes
+of Canaan into our hands, their cities and treasure, and
+wide-stretching realms.  If ye will keep His holy precepts, the
+Lord of angels will fulfil the promise which He sware to our
+forefathers, in days of old -- that ye shall vanquish every foe
+and hold in victory the banquet hails of heroes between the two
+seas.  Great shall be your fortune!"
+
+(ll. 564-579) And at these words the host was glad.  The trumpets
+sang their song of triumph, and banners tossed to strains of
+joyous music.  The folk had reached the land.  The pillar of
+glory had led the host, the holy legions, under God's sheltering
+hand.  They rejoiced that their lives were saved from the clutch
+of the foe, though boldly had those warnors ventured under the
+roof of the waves.  They beheld the walls upstanding.  All the
+seas seemed bloody unto them through which they bore their
+armour.  They rejoiced with a song of battle that they were safe. 
+The army legions lifted up their voice and praised the Lord for
+that great work.  The mighty host in chorus, man and maiden, sang
+psalms and battle anthems, with reverent voices chanting all
+these wonders.
+
+(ll. 580-590) Then could be seen on the shore of the sea African
+maidens adorned with gold.  They raised their hands in thanks for
+their deliverance; they were blithe beholding their safety; they
+took heed of the spoils; their bonds were broken.  On the
+sea-shore they dealt out the booty among the standards, ancient
+treasure and raiment and shields.  They divided the gold and the
+woven cloth, the treasure of Joseph, the riches of men.  But
+their foes, the greatest of armies, lay still in that place of
+death.
+
+
+
+DANIEL
+
+
+L
+
+(ll. 1-21) In Jerusalem, as I have heard, the Hebrews prospered,
+dispensing treasure and holding kingly sway, as well was meet,
+when by the might of God the host and all the battle legion were
+given into Moses' hand, and in a multitude they got them forth
+from Egypt.  That was a valiant race so long as they might rule
+their realm and sway their cities!  As long as they kept the
+covenant of their fathers, great was their prosperity!  And God,
+the Warden of the heavenly kingdom, the Holy Lord, the Prince of
+glory, the Lord of every creature, watched over them, and gave
+them strength and courage, so that in war they conquered many
+nations who rose against them, until at last pride came upon them
+at their wine-feasts, drunken thoughts and devilish deeds, and
+they forsook the teachings of their law, and the might of God. 
+So should no man sunder his soul's love from God.
+
+(ll. 22-32) Then I beheld that nation walking in ways of error,
+the tribe of Israel following after sin, and doing evil.  That
+was a grief to God!  The Warden of the heavenly kingdom oft sent
+His holy prophets, proclaiming knowledge to the people, and
+wisdom to the host.  A little time they trusted in His counsels,
+till longing for the joys of earth defrauded them of lasting
+wisdom, and in the end they turned them from the laws of God, and
+chose the Devil's craft.
+
+(ll. 33-56) Then the Lord became displeased and angered with that
+people whom He had prospered.  To them, a wandering folk, who
+once were dearest of mankind to God, dearest of all peoples and
+best loved of the Lord, He had showed a highway to their lofty
+city and their native land, where Salem stood, wailed round about
+and girt with battlements.  Thither the wise men, the Chaldean
+people, came up against the city within whose walls their wealth
+was stored.  A host rose up to smite them, a great army, eager
+for deeds of blood.  Nebuchadnezzar, the lord of men and prince
+of Babylon, stirred up strife against them in his city.  In
+enmity he searched the thoughts of his heart how he most easily
+could smite the Israelites and take them captive.  From south and
+north he mustered savage legions, faring westward with a band of
+heathen princes against that lofty town.  The rulers of Israel
+prospered as long as the Lord would let them!
+
+(ll. 57-78) Then, as I have heard, these mortal foes, a host of
+unbelievers, sacked their city.  From Solomon's temple, that
+glorious building, they took red gold and jewels and silver. 
+They plundered the treasure under the walls of stone, all such as
+those earls possessed, till they had razed and wasted every
+stronghold which stood for a protection to that people.  They
+carried off as spoil the treasure of princes, as much as was
+found there, cattle and men; and so returned, with great
+possessions, over the eastern roads, leading the tribe of Israel,
+a countless host, on a long journey unto Babylon, into the power
+of heathen judges.  And Nebuchadnezzar showed no pity on the
+tribe of Israel, but made them subject unto him to be his slaves,
+all such as had escaped the sword.  And he sent a great host of
+his thanes into the west to take possession of their kingdom and
+their wasted realm, after the Hebrews.
+
+(ll. 79-87) He bade his prefects seek among the wretched remnant
+of the tribe of Israel which of the young men they had brought
+there were wisest in the books of the law.  He wished the youths
+to grow in knowledge, that they might teach him wisdom, but'not
+at all because he could or would be mindful to thank God for all
+the gifts which He had given him to his comfort.
+
+(ll. 88-103) And they found three wise and noble youths, devout
+and young, and with the fear of God.  One was Hananiah; the
+second, Azariah; the third was Mishael, chosen of the Lord. 
+Stout of heart and thoughtful-minded the young men came before
+the king, where the heathen ruler sat rejoicing in his splendour
+in the city of the Chaldeans.  And the Hebrew men with holy
+hearts spake words of wisdom and great learning unto the proud
+prince.  Then the lord of Babylon, the haughty king, bade his
+thanes and princes on their lives see to it that the three youths
+knew no lack of food or raiment all their life long.
+
+
+LI
+
+(ll. 104-115) Now the famous lord of Babylon was great and
+glorious over all the earth, and terrible to the sons of men.  He
+lived in insolence and heeded not the law.  And there came to the
+great king in his slumber, when the prince had gone to his rest,
+a terrible dream that hovered about his heart, how wondrously the
+world was wrought, unlike for men, until the world's redemption.
+Truth was revealed as he slumbered, that there would come a
+bitter end to every rule and to the joys of earth.
+
+(ll. 116-129) Then the wolf-hearted lord of Babylon awoke from
+his wine-flushed slumber.  His heart was not blithe; but a fear
+was upon him, and dread of the dream.  Yet he could not recall
+what the vision had been.  And he summoned his people, all such
+as were skilled in magic, and asked the men so gathered what his
+dream had been, while men lay sleeping.  He was shaken with
+terror and knew no beginning nor word of the dream; but he bade
+them tell it to him.  Troubled, the sorcerers answered (for
+wisdom was not given them to tell his dream unto the king):
+
+(ll. 130-133) "How may we divine so secret a thing in thy soul, O
+king!  how thy dream hath run, or knowledge come to thee of
+Fate's decrees, except thou tell us first the beginning of thy
+dream?"
+
+(ll. 134-144) And the wolf-hearted king was vexed, and answered
+his wise men: "Ye were not so wise above all men as ye told me,
+saying ye knew my fate as it should fall, or I should find it in
+the future, nor do ye know the dream that bringeth wisdom before
+this people.  Ye shall die the death except I know the import of
+the dream that lieth heavy on my heart."
+
+(ll. 145-157) But the company there gathered might not divine or
+search out knowledge, for it was denied them to tell the king his
+dream, or the mysteries of fate, until Daniel, the prophet, wise
+and righteous, and beloved of God, came to the palace to
+interpret the vision.  He had pre-eminence among that wretched
+remnant who needs must serve the henthen king.  God gave him
+grace from heaven through the communion of the Holy Spirit; and
+an angel of the Lord rehearsed to him all the dream, even as the
+king had dreamed it.
+
+(ll. 158-177) Then went Daniel at the dawn of day to tell the
+dream unto his lord, recounting wisely the decrees of fate; and
+soon the haughty king knew all the dream, its end and its
+beginning, that he had dreamed.  And Daniel had great honour and
+reward in Babylon among the scribes, after he showed the dream
+unto the king which the prince of Babylon had not been able to
+remember because of his sins.  Yet could not Daniel bring him to
+believe in the might of God, but he began to build an idol in the
+plain which men called Dura, which was in the land of the mighty
+Babylonians.  The city-warden, the ruler of the realm, reared an
+idol before men, a golden image displeasing unto God; he was not
+wise, but redeless, reckless, heeding not the right....
+
+((LACUNA -- One leaf missing.))
+
+(ll. 178-187) The warriors listened; and when the sound of the
+voice of the trumpet came to the city-dwellers, the heathen
+people fell upon their knees before the image, and bowed them
+down before the idol, and worshipped it, knowing no better
+wisdom.  Wickedness they wrought and sin, with hearts perverted,
+even as their king.  As their lord before them, the people turned
+to folly.  Grim the reward that came on him thereafter!  For he
+had sinned.
+
+(ll. 188-208) Now there were three men of Israel in the city of
+the king who would not heed their lord's decree, nor offer up
+their prayers unto the idol, though trumpets sang aloud among the
+host.  They were of the stock of Abraham's children, faithful men
+who served Almighty God, the Everlasting Lord in heaven above. 
+The royal youths gave men to know they would not have or hold the
+golden image as a god, but only the Great King, Shepherd of
+souls, who granted them His grace.  Oft they said boldly that
+they recked naught of the idol, nor could the leader of the
+heathen people constrain them unto prayer, nor compel them to go
+before the golden image which he had set up as a god.  These
+thanes said unto their lord that this was their resolve: that
+they were subject to a higher power in this lofty city, "nor will
+we ever work idolatry, nor worship the image which thou hast made
+to be thy god."
+
+(ll. 209-223) Then the prince of Babylon was angered with them,
+and in wrath gave them savage answer: grimly said that they
+should quickly worship, or suffer pain and torture, the cruel
+surge of flame, except they sought protection of that worst of
+demons, the golden image which he had made his god.  Yet would
+the youths not hearken in their hearts unto his heathen counsels. 
+They were resolved to keep the law of God and not forsake the
+Lord of hosts, lest that their virtue turn to heathen folly. 
+They had no longing to seek shelter with false gods, though
+bitter the death proclaimed!
+
+
+LII
+
+(ll. 224-241) Then the fierce king was moved to anger, and bade
+them kindle a furnace to torture the youths to death, because
+they withstood his will.  The furnace was heated, as fiercely as
+might be, with cruel flames of fire.  And the lord of Babylon,
+savage and grim, assembled the people, and bade his servants bind
+the prophets of God, and cast the young men in the flames.  But
+He was ready who wrought them help!  Though the prince so
+fiercely thrust them into the heart of the flame, yet a mighty
+messenger of God preserved their lives, and brought them help
+from heaven, as many learned.  From heaven above the Gracious
+Lord of men sent unto them His Holy Spirit.  An angel passed
+within the furnace, wherein they suffered torment, and covered
+the noble youths with sheltering arms under the roof of fire. 
+And the heat of the quivering flame could not mar their beauty;
+but God preserved them.
+
+(ll. 242-250) Then the heart of the heathen prince was hardened;
+he bade them quickly be burned with fire.  The flame rose high,
+the furnace was heated; through and through the iron glowed. 
+Many a slave cast wood therein according to command.  Brands they
+bore to the ruddy blaze.  The ruthless king would fain have built
+an iron wall about those righteous men, but the flame passed over
+them, beloved of God, and with joy slew more than was meet.
+
+(ll. 251-268) The flame passed by the holy men and fell upon
+their heathen foes.  The youths were blithe of heart!  Round
+about the furnace burned the slaves; the fire took hold upon
+those evil men to their hurt, and the prince of Babylon beheld
+it.  Blithe were the Hebrew earls, praying to God with zeal and
+gladness in the furnace, offering their accustomed praise,
+because their lives were spared.  With joyful hearts they
+worshipped God, in whose protection the fierce heat of the flame
+was turned away.  The noble youths were sheltered from the
+flames' assault, and suffered naught of evil.  The roaring
+furnace was no more grievous unto them than the shining of the
+sun.  The fire harmed them not, but in their hour of danger the
+flames passed over them, and fell on those who did them evil. 
+The heathen slaves departed from the holy youths.  And the beauty
+of those cursed men was lessened, whoso had rejoiced in that
+work!
+
+(ll. 269-278) Now when the haughty king beheld how in that
+torture a miracle was come to pass, and believed his senses, it
+seemed to him a wondrous thing.  The righteous men, all three,
+were walking unharmed in the fiery furnace, and one was seen
+there walking with them, an angel of Almighty God.  No whit of
+harm had come upon them, but within the furnace it was most like
+as when in the summer season the sun shineth, and the dewfall
+cometh at dawn, scattered by the wind.  It was the God of glory
+who saved them from that peril.
+
+(ll. 279-282) Then in the hot flame the holy Azariah,
+eager-hearted, sang an inspired hymn. The sinless man praised God
+and spake this word:
+
+(ll. 283-295) "O Lord of all!  Thy might is strong to save! 
+Excellent is Thy name in all the earth, sublime and great in
+glory!  Thy laws are always sure and just and mighty, even as
+Thou art mighty.  Wise and righteous is Thy will, O Lord of
+heaven!  O God of spirits, grant us help and favour!  Save us, O
+Holy Lord!  Wrapped in flame, we pray Thee for Thy mercy on our
+woe, our thraldom and humiliation.
+
+(ll. 295-308) "As we have wrought, so hath it come to pass.  Our
+fathers also, city-dwellers, in pride have sinned, and broken Thy
+commandments, and scorned a holy life.  We are scattered over all
+the spacious earth and driven asunder, cast out from grace.  In
+many lands and under many peoples our life is infamous and vile,
+and we are subject to the worst of earthly kings, and captive to
+grim-hearted men; in heathen lands we suffer thraldom.
+
+(ll. 309-332) "Thanks be to Thee, O Lord of hosts!  that Thou
+hast laid this punishment upon us.  Forsake us not, O Lord
+Eternal, for Thy mercy's sake which men attribute unto Thee, and
+for the covenant, O Lord of glory, Shaper of spirits, Saviour of
+men!  which Thou didst give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. 
+Thou didst promise them in days of old that Thou wouldest bless
+their seed, and that a mighty nation should be born of them, a
+race to be exalted as the stars of heaven that trace their
+wandering courses even to the strand of ocean, and the sands of
+the sea-shore that form the foundations of the deep throughout
+the salt sea; even so should they be numberless for untold years. 
+Fulfil Thine ancient promise now, though few are living!  Show
+forth Thy glory and Thy word upon us!  Make known Thy strength
+and power, that the Chaldean race and many nations living heathen
+lives may learn Thy glory under heaven, and know Thou only art
+Eternal God, Wielder of victory, Lord of hosts and all creation,
+the Righteous God."
+
+(ll. 333-344) So the holy men praised the loving-kindness of the
+Lord, rehearsing the strength of His might.  Then was a gleaming
+angel sent from heaven above, with shining face and clothed in
+glory, who came to comfort and deliver them with loving favour. 
+Holy and heavenly bright, he cast aside the blaze of the hot
+flame; with mighty strength he swept away and quenched the flame
+of fire so that their bodies were not harmed a whir.  But in his
+wrath he hurled the fire upon their foes, because of their deeds
+of evil.
+
+(ll. 345-361) Then in the furnace, when the angel came, the air
+was cool and pleasant, most like the weather in the summer
+season, when rain falleth during the day and warm showers from
+the clouds.  As is the best of weather, so was it in the furnace
+for their comfort through the holy might of God. The burning
+flame was quenched and scattered where Hananiah, Azariah, and
+Mishael, with brave hearts, were walking in the furnace, and the
+angel with them who preserved their lives, who was the fourth.
+Devout of heart, the three youths praised the Lord, and called
+upon the sons of Israel and all created things of earth to bless
+the Everlasting God, the Lord of nations. With understanding
+hearts they spake with one accord:
+
+
+LIII
+
+(ll. 362-408) "O let the beauty of the world, and all Thy works,
+bless Thee, our Gracious Father, the heavens and all the angels,
+and the shining waters!  Let all, who in Thy great creation dwell
+in heavenly glory, bless the Lord of might!  Let all things made,
+the shining orbs that circle through the heavens, the sun and
+moon, praise Thee in their degree.  Let the stars of heaven, and
+dew and the fierce storm, praise Thee.  O let the souls of men
+bless the Lord of might!  Let burning fire and radiant summer
+praise Thee.  Let night and day and all lands, light and
+darkness, heat and cold, praise Thee in their degree.  Let frost
+and snow and wintry weather and the flying clouds bless the Lord
+of might!  Let the swift, shining lightnings bless Thee!  Let all
+the earth, the hills and plains and lofty mountains, the salt
+sea-waves and ocean, and the welling springs, praise the
+Everlasting God, the Righteous Lord!  Let the whales, and the
+birds of the air that fly in the heavens, praise Thee.  Let all
+that move in the water, wild beasts and all cattle, bless Thy
+name!  Let all men praise Thee, yea!  let Israel bless the Lord,
+who giveth all good things.  Let holy men of heart, the spirits
+and souls of the righteous, praise the Everlasting God, the Lord
+of life, who giveth a reward to all.  Let Hananiah and Azariah
+and Mishael praise the Lord!  We worship Thee and bless Thee,
+Lord of men, Almighty Father, and Thee, True Son of God, Saviour
+of souls and Helper of manlkind, and Thee, O Holy Ghost, the God
+of wisdom.  We praise Thee, Holy Lord, and worship Thee with
+prayer.  Blessed art Thou, and adorned with holy might for ever,
+above the world's roof reigning King of heaven, and Lord of life
+in every land."
+
+(ll. 409-415) Then Nebuchadnezzar, the lord of that people, spake
+unto the princes who stood nigh unto him and said: "Ye beheld, my
+princes, how we cast three men to a fiery death in the blazing
+flames.  And now, in truth, I see four men therein, except my
+sense deceive me."
+
+(ll. 416-429) Then spake a counsellor of the king, wise of heart
+and prudent of speech: "This is some marvel which we behold with
+our eyes.  Bethink thee now, my lord, of what is fitting.  Know
+who it is hath showed this grace upon the youths.  They worship
+One Eternal God, and call on Him with zeal by every name.  With
+eager words they praise His Majesty, and say that He alone is God
+Almighty, Wise King of glory, of earth and heaven.  Call these
+men forth from out the furnace, prince of the Chaldeans!  In no
+wise is it well that they should linger in that torture longer
+than thou hast need."
+
+(ll. 430-439) Then the king bade the young men come before him. 
+Boldly the noble youths obeyed His word and came as they were
+bidden.  The young men rose and went before the heathen king. 
+Their fetters were burned away and the bonds of the king which
+were laid upon them, but their bodies were saved from harm.  For
+their beauty was no wise injured, nor was any harm come upon
+their garments, nor their hair singed by the fire, but in God's
+protection they came forth gladly from that gruesome horror, wise
+of heart and favoured by the Holy Ghost.
+
+(ll. 440-457) Then the angel, a faithful servant to the Holy
+Lord, departed up to seek eternal bliss on the high roof of the
+heavenly kingdom.  And by that marvel he had honoured those who
+had deserved it.  The young men praised the Lord before the
+heathen host, exhorting them with words of truth, rehearsing many
+truthful tokens before the king, until he too believed this was a
+God of wonders who freed them from the darkness.  And the mighty
+lord of Babylon, the haughty king, decreed among his people that
+he was guilty unto death whoso denied this was a glorious God of
+might who freed them from that death.  He gave back unto God the
+remnants of His captive people and granted favour to his olden
+foes.  And their prosperity in Babylon was great and their fame
+was known throughout the nation, after they endured that trial by
+fire, and obeyed their Lord.  Mighty were their counsels after
+God, the Holy Warden of the heavenly kingdom, had shielded them
+from harm.
+
+(ll. 458-471) Then, as I have heard, when the lord of Babylon
+perceived the marvel that was come to pass within the flames, he
+was fain to know how the youths had passed through the blaze of
+fire, and overwon the terror of the heated furnace and the
+flames, so that the fury of the burning brands and raging furnace
+had wrought God's prophets naught of harm, but His defence had
+shielded them against that fearful peril.  And the prince
+commanded a council, and summoned his people, and there, before
+the multitude so gathered, rehearsed the event as it had come to
+pass, and the miracle of God made known upon the youths:
+
+(ll. 472-485) "Consider now the holy might and wondrous works of
+God.  We saw how He shielded the young men in the furnace from
+death and the leaping flames, because they served Him.  He only
+is the Lord, Eternal and Almighty, who gives them glory and
+abundant weal who preach His gospel.  And He reveals Himself by
+many a wonder to holy hearts who seek His favour.  It is well
+known that Daniel showed me the interpretation of a secret dream,
+which formerly perplexed the minds of many men among my people,
+because Almighty God had given him an understanding spirit in his
+heart, and strength of wisdom."
+
+(ll. 486-494) So spake the leader of the host, the lord of
+Babylon, when he perceived the miracle and God's clear token. 
+And yet he wrought no whit the better; pride ruled the prince. 
+His heart was insolent and the thoughts of his heart were
+thoughts of pride, more than was meet, until the Lord Almighty
+humbled him, as He humbleth many who walk with arrogance.
+
+
+LIV
+
+(ll. 495-522) Now a dream came unto Nebuchadnezzar in his sleep
+and troubled him.  It seemed to him that there stood a tree upon
+the earth, wondrous fair, deeply rooted and gleaming with fruit. 
+Nor was it like to other trees, but it towered unto the stars of
+heaven, so that it overshadowed the regions of the world and all
+the earth with its boughs and branches, even unto the shores of
+the sea.  And as he gazed it seemed to him that the tree made
+shelter for the wild beasts, and that it held food for them all,
+and likewise that the birds of the air found sustenance in the
+fruit of the tree.  And it seemed to him that an angel descended
+from the heavens, and spake with a loud voice, commanding the
+tree to be cut down, and the wild beasts and the birds to flee
+away, when its fall should come.  And he bade that its fruit be
+cut off and its branches and boughs. but that the roots of the
+tree should abide fast in the earth as a token, until green
+shoots should spring again when God granted.  And he bade bind
+the mighty tree with brazen fetters and fetters of iron, and thus
+bound cast it into torment, that his heart might know that a
+mightier than he had power of correction, against whom he might
+not prevail.
+
+(ll. 523-537)  Then the earthly king awoke from his slumber, and
+his dream was ended.  But fear of it was upon him, and terror of
+the vision which God had sent him.  And the haughty king bade
+summon his people together, and the leaders of the people, and
+asked them all the import of his dream, in no wise thinking that
+they knew; but he made trial of them how they would answer.  Then
+Daniel, the prophet of God, was called unto judgment, and the
+Holy Ghost was sent to him from heaven to strengthen his heart. 
+In him the lord of men perceived an understanding spirit and
+depth of counsel, strength of wisdom, words of judgment.  And
+once again he showed forth many a wonder, the mighty works of
+God, before the eyes of men.
+
+(ll. 538-550) Then the proud, heathen leader of the host began to
+tell his fearful dream, and all the horror of the vision that had
+vexed him, and bade him tell the import of this secret thing,
+bidding him speak in holy words and search his heart to tell with
+truth the meaning of the tree which he saw gleaming, and declare
+to him the decrees of fate.  Then he fell silent.  Yet Daniel
+clearly saw in the assembly that his prince, the lord of men, was
+guilty before God.  The prophet paused; then God's herald,
+skilled in the law, made answer to the king:
+
+(ll. 551-579) "This, O prince of men, is no little wonder, which
+thou hast seen in thy dream, a tree as high as heaven, and the
+holy words, wrathful and full of terror, which the angel spake --
+that the tree should be stripped of its branches and fall, where
+formerly it stood fast, lying joyless with the beasts, abiding in
+a desert place, its roots to remain fast in the earth in
+stillness for a season where it stood, as the Voice declared, and
+then after seven years to receive increase again!  So shall thy
+fortune be brought low!  As the tree grew high unto heaven so art
+thou lord and ruler over all the dwellers of earth, and there is
+none on earth to withstand thee save God alone.  He shall cut
+thee off from thy kingdom and drive thee into exile without
+friends, and thy heart shall be changed so that there shall be no
+thought in thy heart of worldly joys, nor any reason in thy mind
+save the ways of the wild beasts, but thou shalt live a long time
+in the forest ranging with the deer.  Thou shalt have no food
+save the grass of the field, nor any fixed abiding-place, but the
+showers of rain shall drench thee and harass thee even as the
+wild beasts, until after seven winters thou shalt believe there
+is One God for all mankind, a Lord and Ruler dwelling in the
+heavens.
+
+(ll. 580-592) "Yet is it pleasing unto me that the roots remained
+fixed in the earth, as the Voice declared, and after seven
+seasons received increase.  So shall thy kingdom stand unharmed
+of men until thou come again.  Take now, my lord, firm counsel in
+thy heart; give alms; defend the needy, and make atonement before
+God, ere yet the hour cometh when He shall drive thee from thine
+earthly kingdom.  Oft for many peoples God abateth pain and woe,
+if they but earnestly repent them of their sins, ere His avenging
+wrath, with fatal doom, hath laid them low."
+
+(ll. 593-597) But Daniel was not able to speak these many words
+of truth, with craft of wisdom, to his lord, so that the mighty
+ruler of the world would heed; but pride ruled his heart.  And
+bitter was his atonement!
+
+(ll. 598-607) And as the king of the Chaldeans ruled his realm,
+and beheld the city of Babylcn in its prosperity towering up to
+heaven, the city which the prince had built with many a wonder
+for his people, and the fields of the Shinarites wide-stretching
+round about, then the king began to utter boastful words.  He
+became perverse and arrogant of heart, beyond all men, because of
+the special gifts which God had given him, a mighty kingdom and
+the world to rule in the life of men:
+
+(ll. 608-611) "Thou art the mighty city, famed afar, which I have
+builded to my honour, a spacious kingdom.  I will have rest in
+thee, a dwelling and a home."
+
+(ll. 612-621) Then the lord of men was smitten for his boasting,
+and driven into exile, arrogant of heart beyond all men.  Even as
+in the days of strife, when God's swift wrath and anger smote him
+from the heavens, Nebuchadnezzar trod the bitterest path unto
+God's vengeance that ever living men have trod.  Seven winters
+together the king of that fair city suffered torment, a
+desert-life with beasts.
+
+(ll. 622-639) Then the wretched man, companion of the beasts,
+looked up through the flying clouds; and he knew in his heart
+that there was a Lord and King of heaven, and one Eternal Spirit
+ruling over the sons of men.  And he was recovered from the
+madness which long had been upon him, vexing the heart and soul
+of the king.  His heart was turned again unto men and his mind
+unto thoughts of God, after he came to know Him.  And the
+wretched man rose up and came again among men, a naked wanderer
+acknowledging his sin, a strange exile without clothing, and of
+humbler heart than the lord of men had been in his boasting. 
+Behind its lord the world had stood, behind the prince his home
+and native land, unchanged for seven winters together, so that
+his kingdom had not lessened under heaven until its ruler came
+again.
+
+(ll. 640-656) Then was the lord of Babylon once more seated upon
+his throne; he had a better heart, a clearer faith in the Lord of
+life, knowing that God dealeth unto every man weal or woe as He
+desireth.  The lord of nations was not slow to heed the counsels
+of his wise men, but far and wide rehearsed the might of God,
+where he had power of proclamation.  He told his people of his
+wanderings, his far journeys with the beasts, until the spirit of
+the Lord God came upon him and thoughts of wisdom, when he looked
+up to heaven.  Fate was fulfilled, the wonder come to pass, the
+dream come true, the punishment endured, the doom awarded, even
+as Daniel said aforetime that the king would suffer downfall for
+his pride, and earnestly proclaimed it before men, by the might
+of God.
+
+(ll. 657-674) Then for a long time Daniel gave judgment and
+counsel in Babylon unto the city-dwellers.  And after
+Nebuchadnezzar, comrade and companion of the wild beasts,
+returned from his wandering exile, the prince of the Chaldeans,
+the wise and mighty leader of the folk, ruled his spacious
+kingdom, guarding his treasure and the lofty city, until death
+came upon him.  And there was no man to withstand him upon earth
+till God through death took his high kingdom from him. 
+Thereafter his descendants prospered greatly in that mighty
+stronghold, in the city of earls, enjoying wealth and twisted
+gold, a mighty treasure, when their lord lay dead.
+
+
+LV
+
+(ll. 675-685) And after him among that people arose a third
+generation, and Belshazzar ruled the city and the kingdom until
+his heart grew great with insolence and hateful pride.  And the
+Chaldean rule was ended!  For the Lord bestowed the kingdom upon
+the Medes and Persians for a space of time, and let the might of
+Babylon diminish, which the heroes should have held.  But He knew
+that they were sinful men who would have ruled the realm.
+
+(ll. 686-702) The lord of the Medes, as he sat in his stronghold,
+resolved on that which none had done before him, that he would
+lay waste Babylon, the city of earls, where the princes within
+the walls dispensed the treasure.  Now the city of Babylon was
+the most famous of all the fortresses of men, the mightiest and
+most widely known of all that men inhabit, until Belshazzar in
+his boasting tempted God.  They sat at wine within their walls,
+fearing not the hate of any foe, though a hostile folk with
+mighty hosts in armour were coming up against them, even against
+the city of Babylon to destroy it.  And the Chaldean king and his
+kinsmen sat feasting on the last day.
+
+(ll. 703-711) Now when the leader of the host was drunk with wine
+he bade them bring the treasure of Israel, the holy vessels of
+the sacrifice, and the gold which the Chaldean warriors and their
+legions had captured in Jerusalem, when they destroyed the might
+of Judah with the sword, boasting exceedingly, with tumult
+seizing on the kindly folk and gleaming treasure, as they
+plundered the temple and the shrine of Solomon.
+
+(ll. 712-726) Then was the lord of cities blithe in his heart,
+boasting fiercely and defying God, and said his gods were
+mightier to save, and greater, than the Eternal Lord of Israel. 
+But, as he gazed, there came a dreadful token before men within
+the hall, that he had spoken a lie before his people.  The hand
+of an angel of God appeared within the lofty hall, a sight of
+terror, and wrote before the eyes of men upon the wall in scarlet
+letters and words of mystery.  Then the heart of the king was
+troubled within him and sore afraid because of the sign; within
+the hall he beheld the hand of an angel writing the doom of the
+Shinarites.
+
+(ll. 727-736) But the multitude, the host within the hall, 
+debated what the hand had written for a sign to the city-
+dwellers.  And many came to see the wonder.  They searched the
+thoughts of their hearts to know what the hand of the angel had
+written.  Nor could the nobles and magicians read the angel's
+message till Daniel, wise and righteous, loved of God, came to
+the hall.  And his heart was filled with wisdom sent from God.
+
+(ll. 737-742) Then, as I have heard, the city-dwellers sought to
+tempt Daniel with gifts to read the writing and tell the import
+of the mystery.  But the prophet of God, skilled in the law and
+wise of heart, made answer to them:
+
+(ll. 743-765) "Not for gain do I pronounce God's judgments to the
+people, nor of mine own strength, but freely will I tell thy
+fate, and the meaning of the words thou shalt not change.  In
+thine insolence thou hast given into the hands of men the vessels
+of the sacrifice, and in them drunk to devils, which formerly the
+Israelites employed in holy rites before the ark of God, till
+pride seduced them and drunken thoughts.  So shall it be with
+thee!  Never would thy lord before thee lay hands of insolence
+upon God's golden vessels, nor boast thereof, although it was his
+legions that plundered Israel's treasure.  But after the Lord of
+glory showed forth His wonders upon him, the lord of nations
+often spake before his people in words of truth, and said that
+He alone was Lord and Ruler of creation who gave him blameless
+glory in his earthly kingdom and great prosperity.  But thou
+deniest that He is the Living God who ruleth over devils..."
+
+((LACUNA of indeterminate length))
+
+
+
+CHRIST AND SATAN
+
+
+LIBER II
+
+I
+
+THE LAMENT OF THE FALLEN ANGELS
+
+(ll. 1-18) It is revealed to those who dwell on earth that God
+had strength and power when He wrought the borders of the world. 
+By His wondrous might He established the sun and moon, the rocks
+and earth and the oceanstream, water and clouds.  By His strength
+the Lord upholdeth all the deep expanse, and middle-earth.  The
+Son of God beholdeth from the heavens the sea and its
+foundations: He numbereth every drop of the showers of rain.  By
+His wondrous power He hath ordained the number of the days.  Even
+so in six days, by His spirit's might, the Lord in heaven devised
+the valleys of the world and the high hills, and founded them. 
+Who is there that clearly knoweth all that mighty work except
+Eternal God?
+
+(ll. 19-33) Joys He dealeth out and riches.  He first created
+Adam, and a noble race, the angel princes, which later perished
+utterly.  For, it seemed to them in their hearts it well might be
+that they themselves were lords of heaven, princes of glory. 
+Then a worse fate befell them, and they went to find a home in
+hell, the foul abyss, where they must needs endure grim woe and
+surging flame, no more possessing radiance of glory or high-built
+halls in heaven; but they must needs plunge downward to those
+depths of fiery flame, down to the bottomless abyss, insatiate
+and rapacious.  God only knoweth how He hath condemned that
+guilty host.
+
+(ll. 34-50) The Old One crieth out of hell, with horrible voice
+uttereth words accursed: "Whither is fled the glory of the
+angels, which we should have in heaven?  This is a home of
+darkness, terribly bound with fettering bonds of fire.  The floor
+of hell is ablaze, and flaming with poison.  The end is now not
+far when we must suffer torment, pain, and woe, no whit
+possessing bliss in heavenly glory, nor joy, in her high halls. 
+Lo!  once we knew great bliss before the face of God, and songs
+of praise in heaven in happier hours, where now stand noble
+spirits round about Eternal God in His high hall, worshipping the
+Lord with words and works.  And here in torment I must needs
+abide in bonds, nor ever hope for any better home, because of my
+insolent pride."
+
+(ll. 51-64) Then answered the foul fiends, black and sinful,
+chained in torment: "Thou with thy lies didst teach us not to
+serve the Saviour!  To thee alone it seemed that thou hadst power
+of all things in heaven and earth, that thou wert Holy God, even
+the Creator.  Now thou art bound. thou wretched fiend, with bonds
+of flame.  In thy splendour thou didst think the world was thine,
+and power of all things, and we, the angels, with thee. 
+Loathsome is thy face!  Sorely have we suffered for thy lies!
+Thou saidest that thy son was Lord of men.  Now is thy woe the
+greater."
+
+(ll. 65-74) So with bitter words and moaning voices the sinful
+spirits spake unto their lord.  Christ had cast them out, and
+banished them from joy.  They had lost the radiant light of God
+in heaven through overweening pride.  For all their joy they had
+the floors of hell and burning pain.  Pale, their beauty marred,
+the fallen angels, miserable wretches, wandered through that
+loathsome pit, because of the presumptuous deeds which formerly
+they wrought.
+
+
+II
+
+(ll. 75-80) Then once more spake the leader of the fiends; he was
+chastened anew, and racked with pangs of torment.  Black with
+fire and poison, he began to speak; no pleasant joy was this as
+he poured forth his words in pain:
+
+(ll. 81-92) "I was once a holv angel, dear unto God in heaven,
+and knew great joy before the face of the Lord God, likewise this
+multitude.  But I resolved in my heart to overthrow the Lord of
+glory, the Son of God, and have myself the power to rule the
+world, and all this wretched host which I have led unto a home in
+hell.  Bethink ye of the token and the curse, that I was
+banished, deep below the earth, in the bottomless abyss. I have
+led you all from out your native home unto a house of bondage.
+
+(ll. 92-105) "Here is no glory of the blessed, neither wine-halls
+of the proud, nor worldly joys nor angel throngs, nor may we have
+possession of high heaven.  This loathsome dwelling burns with
+fire.  I am God's foe.  Dragons dwell ever at the gates of hell,
+inflamed and furious; they may not help us!  This woeful house is
+filled with torment.  In this deep darkness there is yet no place
+to shelter us, that we may hide therein.  Here is the adder's
+hiss; here serpents dwell.  Firmly the bonds of torment are
+fastened upon us.  Fierce are the fiends, swarthy and black. 
+Here never gleameth day in the gloom of hell-shadows, nor the
+radiant light of God.
+
+(ll. 106-124) "Once I had power and glory, before I earned God's
+judgment on my sin in this loathsome realm, upon the floor of
+hell.  Now I have come, and brought a host of fiends, unto this
+home of darkness.  But, flying forth from hell from time to time,
+I needs must visit every land, and others of you also, who had
+part in our presumptuous deeds.  We need not hope the King of
+glory will ever grant us a home and dwelling, as He did of old,
+and everlasting power.  For the Son of God hath power of all
+things, of glory and affliction.  Wherefore, downcast and
+wretched, I must wander far, an exile journey, stripped of glory,
+shorn of virtue, bereft of joy in heaven among the angels,
+because I said of old that I was King of glory and Lord of all."
+
+
+III
+
+(ll. 125-128) But a worse fate befell him!  So the accursed
+spirit, doomed to woe, lamented his afflictions. (And through the
+foul abyss a flame of fire raged, with venom mingled):
+
+(ll. 129-141) "I am so large of limb there is no place in this
+wide hall to hide me, sore wounded with my sins.  Both heat and
+cold by turns are mingled here.  At times I hear the hell-slaves
+howling, mourning these realms of pain beneath the earth; at
+times men naked strive with serpents.  All this windy hall is
+filled with horror!  Never shall I know a happier home, nor any
+town or mansion; nor ever shall mine eyes behold the shining
+world again.
+
+(ll. 142-157) "Worse is it now for me that ever I knew the light
+of glory with the angels, or melody in heaven, where blessed
+souls are lapped in music by the Son of God.  I may not injure
+any soul save those alone which He rejecteth.  Those may I lead
+home into bondage, and bring them to their dwelling in the grim
+abyss.  Changed are we all from what we were of old on high, in
+beauty and in honour.  Oft, as disciples round our well-loved
+Lord, we brought the sons of glory to the Saviour's arms, and
+lifted up our songs of praise, and worshipped Him.  But now I am
+stained with evil, and wounded with my sins.  In hell-fire
+burning bonds of pain shall sear my back. nor may I ever hope for
+any future good."
+
+(ll. 158-162) Then once more the loathsome fiend from hell,
+accursed in his woe, bewailed his endless torment.  His words
+flew up like sparks, most like to poison, as he hissed them
+forth:
+
+(ll. 162-175) "O!  the majesty of God, the might of the Creator! 
+O!  Thou Lord of heavenly hosts!  Farewell to earth, and the
+gleaming light of day!  Farewell the bliss of God, the angel
+hosts, the heavens above!  Alas!  that I have lost eternal joy,
+that never again with my hands may I lay hold on heaven, nor
+thitherward lift up mine eyes, nor hear in mine ears the ringing
+voice of the trumpet, because I would have driven from His throne
+the Lord, the Son of God, and seized myself the power of majesty
+and joy and bliss.
+
+(ll. 176-188) "Then a worse fate befell me than I could well
+foresee!  I am rejected from the heavenly host, cast out from
+light into this loathsome home.  I may not well bethink me how I
+fell thus low, into this deep abyss, stained with my sins, and
+cast out from the world.  Now I know that he will forfeit all
+eternal joy who thinketh not to serve the King of heaven and
+please the Lord.  Needs must I undergo correction, vengeance and
+punishment and pain, stripped of every good, stained by my former
+deeds, because I thought to drive God from His throne, the Lord
+of hosts.  Now, sorrowful and full of care, I needs must go an
+exile-journey, a wandering wide."
+
+
+IV
+
+(ll. 189-208) Then God's foe went to hell, wherein he was abased,
+and his thanes with him. covetous and greedy, when the Lord God
+hurled them down into that burning house whose name is hell. 
+Wherefore let every man take thought in his heart that he may not
+be displeasing to the Son of God, remembering how the black
+fiends were undone by pride.  And let us choose as our delight
+the Lord of hosts, the Prince of angels, and eternal joy in
+heaven above.  He showed that He had strength and wondrous power,
+when from His lofty throne He drove that great host into bondage. 
+Let us be mindful of the Holy Lord, eternal in glory, and choose
+a home on high with Christ, the Lord of all, the King of kings. 
+With blithe thoughts in our hearts, and peace and wisdom, let us
+be mindful of righteousness and truth, when we think to kneel
+before His royal throne, and pray the Lord for mercy.
+
+(ll. 209-223) It behooveth him who dwelleth in these worldly joys
+to shine in beauty when he seeketh another life, and a land much
+fairer than this earth.  That is a land of beauty and of joy,
+with fruits that brightly gleam among the cities.  That is a
+boundless realm, the home of the blessed in heaven, acceptable to
+Christ.  Let us turn thither where, in that dear home, the
+Saviour sitteth, Lord of victories, and round about His throne in
+radiant whiteness stand angel legions and all blessed souls, the
+holy heavenly hosts, and praise the Lord with words and works. 
+Their beauty gleameth with the King of glory, world without end.
+
+
+V
+
+(ll. 224-227) And further still, as I have heard, the fiends
+confessed.  Their sin and punishment lay heavy on them.  In their
+presumptuous pride they had forgot the King of glory. 
+Straightway in other words they spake:
+
+(ll. 228-244) "Now is it seen that we have sinned in heaven, and
+now must ever wage a hapless war against the might of God.  We
+might have had our dwelling in the light of glory, in thousands
+serving Holy God, and chanting hymns about His throne.  And while
+we dwelt there, and abode in bliss, came strains of heavenly
+music on our ears, and the voice of the trumpet.  Bright of word
+arose the Prince of angels, and all His saints bowed down before
+Him.  The Eternal Lord Triumphant rose and stood above us, and
+each day blessed that gentle throng, and His beloved Son, Shaper
+of souls.  And God Himself was merciful to all who came within
+that kingdom, and had believed in Him on earth.
+
+(ll. 245-247) "But it seemed to me that the Prince was stern and
+hard of heart; and I began to go forth alone among the angels,
+and said unto them all:
+
+(ll. 248-253) "`I can show you enduring counsel, if ye will trust
+my strength.  Let us scorn this mighty Prince, the Lord of hosts,
+and possess us of the radiance of His glory to be our own.  For
+this is empty boasting which we have borne so long.'
+
+
+VI
+
+(ll. 254-268) "And so it was we strove to drive the Lord from His
+dear home, the King from out His city.  But widely is it known
+that we must dwell in exile, in the grim depths of heil.  God
+holdeth His kingdom.  He only is the King, Eternal Lord, Creator
+strong and mighty, whose anger smote us down.  Henceforth this
+host must lie here in their sin, some flying in the air and
+speeding over earth.  But round about each spirit fire burneth,
+though he be up on high.  Yet may he never lay his hand upon
+those souls who from the earth in blessedness seek heaven.  But I
+may seize God's foes, all heathen slaves, and drag them down into
+the pit.
+
+(ll. 269-278) "Some must needs wander through all lands, sowing
+dissension in the tribes of men throughout the earth.  But I must
+suffer all things, in the pangs of flame, sick and sorrowful,
+lamenting here my lost possessions, which once I owned, while
+still my home was in the heavens.  Will the Eternal grant us ever
+again a home and dwelling in the heavenly kingdom, as He did of
+old?"
+
+(ll. 279-297) So wailed God's adversaries, as they burned in
+hell.  God, the Lord, was moved to wrath against them for their
+blasphemy.  Wherefore should every living man, whose heart is
+good, resolve to banish sinful thoughts and loathsome evil.  Let
+us be ever mindful in our hearts of the Creator's might, and
+prepare a green path before us unto the angels.  There is
+Almighty God, and the Son of God will fold us in His arms, if we
+on earth take thought of this beforehand, and trust His holy
+help.  Then will He not forsake us, but will grant us life among
+the angels, and blessed joy.  The radiant Lord will show us
+stable dwellings, and gleaming city-walls.  Brightly shine the
+souls of the blessed, freed from sorrow, evermore possessing
+cities and a kingly throne.
+
+(ll. 297-314) O may we all proclaim it, ere it be too late, and
+rehearse it unto men upon the earth, unlock with skill the
+mysteries of God, and wisely understand them!  A thousand angels
+shall come out to meet us, if thitherward we take our way, and
+have deserved this bliss on earth.  He shall be blessed whoso
+scorneth evil and is pleasing unto God, overcoming sin as He hath
+said.  The righteous, crowned with beauty, in their Father's
+kingdom, shall shine like to the sun in the City of Refuge, where
+their Lord, the Father of mankind, shall fold them in His arms,
+and lovingly uplift them to the light of heaven, where they may
+dwell for ever with the King of glory, possessing joy of joys
+with the Lord God, for ever and for ever without end.
+
+
+VII
+
+(ll. 315-333) Alas!  how rashly did the cursed fiend resolve to
+disobey the King of heaven, the Comfort-bringing Father.  With
+venom burned and blazed the floor of hell beneath the captive's
+feet.  The fiends went howling through those windy halls, wailing
+their woe.  The sin and evil of that multitude were fierceiy
+purged by fire.  Grievous their fate!  And their prince, who came
+there first of all the host, was lettered fast in fire and flame;
+that was unending torment!  For ever must his thanes inhabit
+there that loathsome realm, nor ever in heaven above hear holy
+joy, where they had long had pleasant service with the angels;
+all good things had they lost, and might not dwell save in the
+pit of hell, in that accursed hall where sounds of weeping are
+heard afar, gnashing of teeth and lamentation.
+
+(ll. 334-354) They have no hope but only frost and fire, torture
+and pain and swarming serpents, dragons and adders and a house of
+darkness.  He who stood within twelve miles of hell might hear a
+gnashing of teeth, loud and full of woe.  God's adversaries
+wandered throughout hell, burning with flame above and below (on
+every side was torture); oppressed with pain, bereft of joy, and
+shorn of glory, they bitterly lamented that ever they had planned
+to strip the Saviour of His heavenly kingdom, when they had their
+home on high.  But He held rightfully the courts of heaven and
+His holy throne.
+
+(ll. 355-364) No one is so cunning or so wise, or hath such
+understanding, save God alone, that he may describe the radiant
+light of heaven; how, by the might of God, the sun there shineth
+round about that splendid host, where angels have eternal joy,
+and saints chant hymns before the face of God.  And there are
+blessed souls, vho come from earth bearing in their bosoms
+fragrant blossoms and pleasant herbs -- these are the words of
+God.  The Father of mankind shall fold them in His arms, and with
+His right hand bless them and lead them to the light, where they
+shall have eternal life, a heavenly home, a radiant
+city-dwelling, for ever and for ever.  He shall have bliss whoso
+inclineth to obey his Saviour.  Well shall it be with him who may
+obtain it!
+
+
+VIII
+
+THE HARROWING OF HELL
+
+(ll. 365-376) Within God's kingdom in the days of old the angel
+prince was called "Light-bearer," Lucifer.  But he stirred up
+strife in heaven and turned to insolence and pride.  Darkly Satan
+planned to build a lofty throne in heaven, with the Eternal God. 
+He was their lord, the prince of evil.  But he repented when he
+needs must sink to hell, and with his thanes must feel the
+Saviour's wrath; never thereafter might they look upon Eternal
+God for ever.
+
+(ll. 377-384) Then terror came upon them. and crashing thunder
+went before the Judge, who bowed and burst the doors of hell. 
+And bliss came unto men when they beheld their Saviour's face. 
+But the hearts of that doomed folk, that dread host named
+aforetime, were sore afraid.  They were smitten with terror
+throughout their windy hall, and wailed aloud:
+
+(ll. 385-397) "Bitter is this Storm that burst upon us, the Angel
+Prince, the Warrior with His legions.  Before Him shineth a
+fairer light than ever our eyes beheld, save when we dwelt in
+heaven among the angels.  Now will He end. by power of His glory,
+the torment we inflict.  Lo!  this Terror cometh, with thunders
+before the face of God, and soon this wretched throng shall know
+affliction.  It is the Son of God, the Lord of angels.  He
+leadeth souls up out of hell, and we shall be abased hereafter by
+His avenging wrath."
+
+(ll. 398-407) By His might the Lord descended into hell, unto the
+sons of men.  For He was fain to lead forth countless thousands
+to their native home.  Then came the sound of angel legions, and
+thunder at the blush of dawn.  The Lord Himself had overcome the
+Fiend; the deadly strife began at dawn when the terror fell upon
+them.  He let the blessed souls, the race of Adam, mount upward
+unto heaven.  Yet Eve might not see heaven until she spake:
+
+(ll. 408-419) "I, only, brought Thy wrath upon us, Eternal Lord,
+when we two ate the apple through the serpent's guile, Adam and
+I, as we should not have done.  The fiend, who now doth burn for
+ever in his bonds, told us that so we should have blessing and a
+holy home, and heaven to rule.  And we believed the words of the
+Accursed. and stretched our hands unto the holy tree and plucked
+its shining fruit.  Bitter the price we paid, when we must needs
+sink downward to this flaming pit, and there abide for many
+thousand winters, dreadfully burning.
+
+(ll. 420-434) "Now I beseech Thee, Lord of heaven, by this host,
+the angel legions which Thou leadest hither, that I may be
+delivered out of hell, with all my kindred.  Three nights ago a
+servant of the Saviour came to hell.  Now is he fast in bondage,
+spent with pain, for the King of glory was incensed against him
+because of his presumption.  Thou saidest unto us in truth that
+God Himself would come to all who dwell in hell.  Then everyone
+arose, and leaned upon his arm, and rested on his hand; though
+racked with pangs of hell, yet in their torment they rejoiced
+because their Lord was coming unto hell to bring them aid."
+
+(ll. 435-440) And she lifted up her hands unto the King of
+heaven, beseeching mercy of the Lord for Mary's sake: "Lo!  Of my
+daughter wast Thou born, O Lord, to help mankind on earth.  Now
+is it seen that Thou art God indeed, the Everlasting Source of
+all creation."
+
+
+IX
+
+(ll. 441-454) Then the Eternal Lord let all that host mount
+upward unto glory.  But on the fiends He fastened bonds of
+torment, and thrust them down into the depths of darkness,
+bitterly abashed, where darkly Satan rules, a woeful wretch, and
+with him the foul fiends, forspent with pain.  Never may they see
+the light of glory, but only bell's abyss, nor ever hope for
+their return, because the Lord God was incensed against them, and
+gave them bonds of torment for their portion, and gruesome
+horror, death-shadows dark and dim, the burning pit of hell, and
+fear of death.
+
+(ll. 455-467) Then was there gladness when the host returned unto
+their native home, and with them the Eternal Lord of men, unto
+His glorious city.  With their hands the race of Abraham, the
+holy prophets, bore Him up unto His home.  Even as the prophets
+had foretold in days of old, the Lord had conquered death, and
+overcome the Fiend.  All this befell at dawn before the blush of
+day, when thunder came, loud crashing from the heavens. and God
+bowed down and brake the doors of hell.  The fiends' strength
+lessened when they saw the radiant light.
+
+(ll. 468-478) And the Son of God was sitting with His host, and
+spake with words of truth: "Wise spirits!  By My might I wrought
+you -- first Adam and this noble woman.  And they begat, by God's
+will, forty children, so that a multitude were born thereafter on
+the earth, and many a winter men dwelt in their home, until it
+came to pass the fiend by deeds of evil brought God's mercy to an
+end.  Now sin has spread through all the world!
+
+(ll. 479-486) "For in the new Paradise I placed a tree with
+spreading branches, whose boughs bore apples, and ye two ate the
+gleaming fruit according as the fiend, the thane of hell, gave
+bidding.  Wherefore ye journeyed to the burning depths of hell,
+because ye disobeyed the word of God, and tasted of this horror. 
+The foul fiend stood beside you, and gave you evil thoughts.
+
+(ll. 487-498) "But My heart repented that My handiwork should
+suffer prison-bondage!  There was no power of men, nor might of
+angels, no work of the prophets, nor wisdom of mortal men, that
+could bring you help, but only God, the Saviour, who had ordained
+that punishment in vengeance.  And from His home on high He came
+to earth, being born of a virgin, and suffered many tortures in
+the world, and much affliction.  And many men, the rulers of the
+state, conspired against Me night and day, how they might slay
+Me.
+
+(ll. 499-511) "Then was the time fulfilled, and I had lived for
+three-and-thirty winters in the world before My passion.  Long
+was I mindful of this multitude and of My home, that I might lead
+them up from bondage to their native land, where they may have
+God's judgments, and the glory of the heavenly hosts, dwelling in
+joy and knowing bliss of heaven, a thousand fold.  Upon the
+cross, when sharp spears pierced Me, and the young man smote Me,
+hanging on the tree, yea!  even then I interceded for you; and I
+came again unto eternal joys, and to the presence of the Holy
+Lord."
+
+
+X
+
+(ll. 512-523) Thus spake the Lord of glory, Maker of mankind,
+early in the morning when the Lord God rose from death.  There
+was no stone so firmly fastened, though it were bound about with
+iron, that might withstand His wondrous might; but the Lord of
+angels went forth from His prison, and bade bright angels tell
+His eleven disciples, and say especially to Simon Peter that he
+might see God, Steadfast and Eternal, in Galilee, as he had done
+aforetime.
+
+(ll. 524-534) Then the disciples, as I have heard, were filled
+with the Spirit, and went together into Galilee unto the Holy Son
+of God, beholding where the Son of the Creator, the Eternal Lord,
+was risen.  And the disciples ran and came where the Eternal Lord
+was standing, and fell upon the ground, and knelt before His
+feet, giving thanks to God because once more, as it was come to
+pass, they might behold the Prince of angels.  And straightway
+Simon Peter spake:
+
+(ll. 535-539) "Is it Thou, O Lord God, crowned with glory?  A
+little while ago we saw how heathen men laid grievous bonds upon
+Thee!  And bitterly shall they repent, when they behold their
+end."
+
+(ll. 540-556) But some could not believe it in their hearts.  And
+one, called Didymus, was dear before he laid his hand upon his
+Saviour's side wherefrom His blood had fallen to the ground, a
+bath of baptism.  That was a glorious deed, the passion of the
+Lord our God.  He mounted up upon the tree, and with His great
+heart shed His blood upon the cross.  Wherefore at all times men
+should thank their Lord by words and works, because He led us out
+of bondage to our home and native land, where we may have God's
+judgments and the glory of the heavenly host, and dwell in joy. 
+To us the radiant light of glory is revealed, to such as have
+good thoughts.
+
+
+XI
+
+(ll. 557-567) Then was the Lord Eternal forty days on earth,
+followed of the people and revealed to men, before the Prince of
+city-dwellers brought the Holy Spirit to the great creation, the
+heavenly kingdom.  The King of angels and the Lord of hosts
+ascended up on high.  Then came celestial melodies in holiness
+from heaven.  The hand of God appeared and He received the
+Prince; the Lord of heaven led Him to His holy home.  And round
+about Him throngs of angels flew in thousands.
+
+(ll. 568-578) And it befell, while yet the Saviour Christ abode
+with men, that on the night before the last He strengthened with
+His spirit His disciples, the twelve apostles.  The Living God
+ordained unnumbered souls.  Of these was Judas, who betrayed the
+Glorious Lord, our Saviour, to be a sacrifice.  Little did that
+undertaking prosper when he sold the Son of God for silver
+treasure.  The foul fiend gave him grim requital, deep in hell.
+
+(ll. 579-596) The Son now sitteth on the right hand of the
+Father; each day the Lord of hosts giveth help and healing to the
+sons of men throughout the earth.  Full widely is it known to
+many men that He alone, by power of His glory, is Maker and Ruler
+of all created things.  The Holy Lord of angels sitteth with the
+prophets in heaven above; the Son of glory hath His throne amid
+the heavens, and by His healing leadeth us up thither to the
+light, where we may sit with God on high among the angels, and
+have that radiance where His holy host now dwelleth, and live in
+joy.  There is the blessedness of glory radiantly revealed!  Let
+us take thought to serve the Saviour gladly and be pleasing unto
+Christ!  There is more glorious life than we may ever gain on
+earth.
+
+
+XII
+
+(ll. 597-607) Now hath the Great Prince, the Almighty Lord, made
+intercession for us.  On the day of doom God biddeth the
+archangels, with a mighty blast, to sound the trumpet over the
+city-dwellings, through all the borders of the world.  Then shall
+men wake from the earth; the dead shall arise from the dust,
+through the might of God.  Longest of days shall that be,
+greatest of tumults, heard afar, when the Saviour cometh, the
+Lord, with clouds surrounded, descending upon earth.
+
+(ll. 608-615) Then will He separate the fair and foul, the good
+and evil, into two companies.  And the righteous shall mount to
+their rest at the right hand of God, they shall be blithe as they
+enter the city, the kingdom of God.  With His right hand the Lord
+of creation shall bless them, and say before all:
+
+(ll. 615-618) "Ye are welcome!  Enter now the heavenly kingdom,
+into the light of glory.  There shall ye rest for ever without
+end."
+
+(ll. 619-625) But the guilty souls that have sinned shall stand
+and tremble when the Son of God shall judge them by His wondrous
+might; they shall hope they may ascend to that fair city with the
+angels, as the others did.  But the Eternal Lord shall speak to
+them, and say before them all:
+
+(ll. 626-627) "Descend now quickly, ye accursed, into the house
+of pain.  I know you not."
+
+(ll. 628-646) And straightway at these words helI's captives,
+cursed spirits, shall drag them down by thousands, leading them
+thither to the home of fiends, and thrust them deep down in the
+narrow pit.  Never may they return, but there they needs must
+suffer torturing pain, imprisonment, and bonds, and the cold
+ground, endure the depths of hell and devils' discourse, black
+fiends with hate reviling them for sin, because they often have
+forgot the Lord, Eternal God, who should have been their hope. 
+Wherefore let us resolve while in the world to serve the Saviour
+gladly by God's grace, be mindful of the spirit's joy, and how
+the blessed sons of God abide on high in radiant glory.
+
+(ll. 647-655) There is a golden gate adorned with gems,
+enwreathed with joy, for those who enter in God's kingdom, and
+win the light of glory.  About the walls stand radiant angel
+spirits and blessed souls who pass from earth to heaven.  There
+are martyrs pleasing unto God, and patriarchs with holy voices
+praising God, the King within His city, saying:
+
+(ll. 656-658) "Thou art the Lord of men, the Heavenly Judge and
+Prince of angels!  Thou hast led the sons of earth unto this
+blessed home!"
+
+(ll 659-662) So the thanes about their Prince shall praise the
+Lord of glory.  There shall be song and splendour round His
+throne.  For He is King indeed, and Lord of all things in the
+eternal creation!
+
+THE TEMPTATION
+
+(ll. 663-673) He is the Lord, the Prince of angels, who died for
+us; and, in the fullness of His mercy, the Maker of mankind once
+fasted forty days.  And it came to pass that the Accursed Fiend,
+who was driven out of heaven and sank to hell, tempted the Lord
+of all creation, bringing in his arms great stones, and bidding
+Him make loaves to stay His hunger, "if Thou have so much power." 
+But the Eternal Lord made answer unto him:
+
+(ll. 674-675) "Knowest thou not, accursed, it was written...."
+
+((LACUNA of indeterminate length.))
+
+(ll. 676-678) "....save Me alone?  But Thou, O Lord of victory,
+hast ordained the light for living souls, reward unending in the
+heavenly kingdom, and holy joys."
+
+(ll. 679-682) Then the malicious, evil spirit in derision lifted
+Him up in his hands, and set Him upon his shoulder, and ascended
+a high mountain, and placed the Lord God on a peak thereof:
+
+(ll. 683-688) "Gaze now full widely over the dwellers of earth. 
+The world and the inhabitants thereof will I give into Thy hand. 
+Take now from me the city and the shining home which I will give
+Thee in the heavenly kingdom, that Thou mayest truly be the King
+of men and angels, as Thou hast thought."
+
+(ll. 689-709) Then answered the Eternal Lord: "Depart, thou
+cursed Satan, into the house of pain; for thee is punishment
+prepared, and not God's kingdom.  By most high might I bid thee
+bring no hope to such as dwell in hell, but tell them now of
+this, thy greatest woe, that thou hast met the Maker of creation,
+the Lord of men.  Get thee behind Me!  Know, accursed fiend, how
+measureless and wide and dreary is the pit of hell!  Measure it
+with thy hands, take hold upon its bottom.  Go, then, until thou
+knowest all the circle of it; measure it first from above even
+unto the abyss.  Measure how broad the black mist stretches. 
+Then shalt thou know more clearly that thou strivest against God,
+when thou hast measured with thy hands how high and deep is hell,
+the grim grave-house, within.  Go quickly, that thou measure, ere
+two hours are past, the home allotted thee."
+
+(ll. 710-728) Then vengeance came upon the fiend.  Satan, the
+cursed monster, fled away and sank to hell.  And first he
+measured with his hands its torment and its woe.  The black flame
+leaped against the evil spirit; and he beheld the captives as
+they lay in hell.  And there rose a howling throughout hell, when
+their eyes fell on the fiend.  God's foes had striven... the
+black evil spirit, so that he stood upon the floor of hell, and
+it seemed to him that from the pit to the doors of hell was an
+hundred thousand miles in reckoning, as the Almighty Lord had
+bidden him, for his sin, to measure all his torment.  And he
+remembered as he stood in the depths of hell!  The foul fiend
+with his eyes gazed through the loathsome den, until its
+overwhelming horror, the host of devils... then mounted up... 
+With words of malice the accursed fiends began to speak and say:
+
+(ll. 728-730) "Lo! thus may evil be upon thee always!  Thou didst
+not wish for good!"
+
+FINIT LIBER II.  AMEN.
+
+
+End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Codex Junius 11
+[End of "Codex Junius 11]
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