Codex Junius 11
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(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....
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