Codex Junius 11
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((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.
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