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.