XXIX.
Then at once, after this speech, they departed with
speed, eager to be gone; from the place of the confer-
ence, the holy spirits made their way (the power[32] of2400
light itself was in their midst!) until they could look
upon Sodom, the lofty city: they saw palaces tower up
above treasures, halls above red gold. Then the right-
eous Ruler of the skies began to speak with Abraham,2405
gave him no little information.
"In this city I hear tumult, the din of sinners ex-
ceedingly loud, the vain-glory of those drunk with ale;
evil speech have the people, behind their walls: for the2410
sins of the race, of the treacherous apostates, are heavy.
I will now find out what the men are doing, O man of
the Hebrews, [to see] whether they [actually] commit
sins so grossly in their habits and thoughts as they
perversely speak of crimes and vices: sulphur and black2415
flame, sorely and grimly, hotly and vehemently, shall
avenge this on the heathenish people."