Genesis A

by Unknown

XXV.

Then the people of Sodoma was southward from
there, to bear the news as to what rout of their fierce
foes had occurred. Forthwith the king of the people,
bereft of his nobles and stripped of friends, went out to
meet Abraham; he brought with him the master of the2100
treasure of Solomia: that was the great Melchisedec,
bishop of the people. He came with gifts to greet fairly
the prince of the warriors, [to approach] Abraham honor-2105
ably, and he pronounced upon him the blessing of God
and spoke thus:

"Highly wert thou exalted among the number of heroes
before the eyes of Him who gave thee the glory of the ash-
spear in battle: that is God himself, who mightily de-
stroyed the forces of the hostile armies and let thee with2110
thy weapons hew out bloody paths broadly [through the
foe], regain the booty, and fell the warriors. They were
encamped by the way: nor could the withdrawing army
prevail in hand-to-hand conflict, but God put it to flight,2115
who with His own hands preserved thee with thy warriors
in the fight, against the terror of superior numbers, and
[so likewise] the sacred pledge [preserved thee] which thou
rightfully holdest with the Keeper of the skies."

With his own hand the hero gave him a return for this2120
blessing, and Abraham bestowed upon the bishop of God
the value of every tenth part of the army's booty. Then
spoke the war-king, ruler of Sodoma, bereft of his people,
to Abraham, (to him mercy was needful):2125

"Give me back the maidens of my people, whom thou
by the might of thy army hast snatched from the deadly
bonds of the foe. Keep thou the wrought gold which
formerly was the property of our people, [keep] the2130
herds and the treasure. Only let me lead back again
in freedom, to their hearths and desolated homes, the
children of the people, the wives and boys and wretched
widows. The young men, my companions, who should have2135
held the borders with me, are dead, [all] but a very few."

Then Abraham answered him straightway, in the pres-
ence of the chieftains exalted in valor, power, and vic-
tory, and nobly said:

"Ruler of the people, I pledge to thee this my word,2140
before the Holy One who is sole Master of heaven and
this earth: there is no worldly treasure that I will take
for my own, neither riches nor money of thine which I
have rescued from the [hostile] bowmen, O great king,
protector of thy nobles, lest thou oft hereafter say that2145
I became rich on earth through the treasure and former
wealth of the kingdom of Sodom;[28] but thou shalt
take hence the booty which I regained for thee in battle,2150
all except the shares of these noble warriors, Aner, and
Mamre, and Escol. I am unwilling to deprive these
warriors of their rights: for they stood by me in the
combat, and fought in your behalf. Go now and take
home the wrought gold and the beloved maidens, the2155
womenfolk of thy people. Thou needst not fear for
a while the attack of the hostile warriors, the battle
of the northmen, for the birds of prey sit all smeared
with blood, among the fastnesses of the mountains, well2160
gorged with the slaughter of the armies."

So the king set out on his return home with the spoils
which the pious lord of the Hebrews, regardful of honor,
gave up to him.

Then again to Abraham the High-King of Heaven2165
showed himself, with holy speech comforted the wise-
hearted man, and spoke to him thus:

"Great are thy rewards. Let not now thy heart
grow idle, thou steadfast [doer] of my will. Nor needst
thou fear anyone, while thou heedest my commandment,
for with my own hands will I shelter and shield thee2170
during thy life-time here against every woe: thou
needst not be fearful."