Genesis A

by Unknown

XXIV.

Then I found that the king of the Elamites, Orlahomar,1960
a pious leader, made an expedition: in aid of him Am-
brafel set forth from Sennar with a great multitude.
Four kings then set out with mighty power to seek1965
Sodoma and Gomorra, southward from there. Then was
the country of the men by Iordan widely besieged by
warriors, the land [was surrounded] by foes. Many
a terrified pale-cheeked maiden would have to go trem-1970
bling to the embrace of a stranger: the defenders of
the brides and rings would fall, weak with wounds.
Against them with warlike zeal five kings came forth1975
from the south, with their armies, who wished to rid
the city of Sodoma of its foes: for twelve winters before
of necessity they had had to yield tribute and pay
indemnity to the men of the north, until the people
no longer would enrich the king of the Elamites with1980
their own treasures, but revolted from him.

In rage the slaughter-hordes came together: the jav-
elins were loud; the dark fowl sang among the flying
weapons, the dewy-feathered [raven] looked for the slain.1985
The warriors rushed on in cohorts with unfaltering cour-
age, until the nations' armies had come together widely,
from south and north, protected by their helmets. There
was bitter struggle, exchanges of deadly spears, great1990
tumult of war, loud din of conflict. The heroes drew
from the sheath with their hands the ring-mailed sword,
keen of edge. Then was booty easy to find for the
chieftain who before this was not readily sated with1995
battle! The northern men were fatal to the southern
men: the men of Sodoma and Gomorra, dispensers of
gold, were bereft of their dear allies at the shield-clash-
ing. They went forth from their homesteads to save2000
themselves by flight; behind them the youths of the race
fell, slain by the sword, [and] their allies [were] cleft with
the edge. The leader of the army of the Elamites had2005
victory in battle, was master of the battlefield. The
survivors of the weapons fled to seek fastnesses. The
enemy seized upon gold, robbed with devastation the
treasure-cities of the people, Sodoma and Gomorra. Then
misery requited the great strongholds; the maidens,2010
wives, and widows, deprived of friends, departed from
their homesteads. The enemy led out with them from
the city of Sodoma, with their spoils, the kinsman of
Abraham.

We may now relate this true history further, as to
what was the fate of the war-wolves after the battle,2015
who carried off Loth and the goods of the people, the
treasures of the southlanders, [and] exulted in victory.

A warrior, a survivor of the sword who was spared
in battle, escaped from them suddenly, to seek Abraham:2020
he reported to the Ebrew chieftain the outcome of the
fray,—the people of Sodoma sorely stricken, the nation's
wealth, and Loth's situation. Thereupon Abraham re-
ported the evil tidings to his friends; the steadfast hero2025
requested aid of his favorite companions, Aner, Mamre,
and thirdly Escol, saying that it would be gall to his
heart and bitterest grief if his nephew should have to2030
suffer slavery: bade the warriors famed in battle think of
some plan so that his dear kinsman might be freed, the
hero with his bride. In reply the three brothers, famed
in war, with great readiness assuaged his grief by their2035
hardy words, and pledged their troth to Abraham that
they would avenge his injury upon his foes, with him,
or else fall in battle.

Then the holy man bade his companions take their2040
weapons: he found there 318 spear-bearing warriors,
loyal to their ruler, of whom he knew that every one
could well support the tawny linden-shield in an onset.2045
So Abraham set out with the three chieftains who had
just pledged their troth to him, and the band of their
followers. He wished to rescue his kinsman at least,
Loth, from suffering.[26] These warriors were famous:
they bore their shields forth boldly on the march. The2050
war-wolves, [meanwhile], had nearly reached their
camping-place: then the prudent man, the son of Thare,
spoke to his war-leaders in these words, (great was his
need!), that they[27] should advance on the enemy in two2055
divisions with grim conflict and hard swordplay: said,
[further], that the Holy Lord Everlasting might easily
give him success in the spear-fight.

Then I heard how under the cover of night the heroes2060
ventured on into battle: the din of shields and shafts
arose in their sleeping-quarters, the slaughter of archers
and impact of battle-arrows; sharp swords smote hate-
fully under the breast of men, and the bodies of foes2065
fell thickly, where the exulting heroes and comrades
were bringing together the spoil. Victory, men's glory
in war, turned aside again from the battle of the north-
men. Abraham gave armed conflict and not in any2070
wise wrought gold, as ransom for his nephew; he slew
and felled the enemy in fair fight: to aid him, the Guard-
ian of the heavenly kingdom took The four armies were put to flight, [with] the kings and
leaders of the people: behind them pressed the joyful2075
band and [there] the heroes were slain; the others were
given over to flight,—those who had stolen the gold of
Sodom and Gomorra, and robbed the stewards: fiercely did2080
the uncle of Loth requite them for it. The noble leaders
of the Elamites were fleeing, bereft of power, until they
were not far from Domascus. Then Abraham set out on2085
the war-track to see the retreat of the wicked men. Lot
was freed, the chieftain with his possessions, [while] the
women [and] wives were restored to joy. Far and wide
they saw the birds of prey rending the murderers of free-
men in sword-slaughter. Abraham brought back again2090
the treasure and brides of the southlanders, the children
of the nobles nearer their homes, the maidens to their
families. Of all men living here [on earth], no one ever
achieved a more worthy military expedition with a2095
small force which was attacking so great a multitude.