XXVIII.
Then Abraham in haste laid his cheek on the earth,
and with scorn turned over these words in his mind, the
thoughts of his heart: at that period of time he himself2340
did not believe that Sarra, his grey-haired bride, could
bring a son into the world to him; he knew well that his
wife had already numbered at least one hundred winters,
by actual reckoning. So then, wise in years, he spoke2345
thus to the Lord:
"May Ismael live according to Thy commandments,
Lord, and give thee thanks with wise and steady mind
and stout heart, doing Thy will day and night in word2350
and deed!"
Then the Almighty King and Everlasting Lord an-
swered him fairly:
"Though much worn in years, Sarra shall bring a son
into the world to thee; the future shall truly proceed in2355
accordance with these words here pronounced. I will now
bless with my grace Ismael, as thou art petitioner, for
thy first born, so that he may dwell many days in the
kingdom of this world with spreading progeny; be thou2360
sure of that! But Isaac thy son, the young child who
has not yet come into the world, I will distinguish ex-
ceedingly with abundance of joys and every kind of
riches, in his days, and certainly leave in his heart my2365
pledge and holy faith, and be kind to him."
Abraham did as the Eternal bade him, set the sign
of peace on his son, by the Lord's command, and bade2370
every one of his household of the male sex bear that
high sign,—wise in heart, and mindful of the pledge
which God had given him as assurance of good faith,—
and then himself received the exalted sign. The Lord2375
and Just King continually advanced his glory in the
kingdom of this world, with blessings: He wrought this
for him as soon as he might first perform the will of his
Master in [every] expedition....[31]
Then the woman laughed at the Lord of Mankind not2380
at all mirthfully, but full of years she laid away this
promise in her mind with much scorn: she did not
believe it true that the fulfilment of this promise was to
follow. But when the Ruler of Heaven heard that the2385
wife of Abraham had given way to hopeless laughter,
in her bower, then the Holy God said:
"Sarra will not believe in the truth of my word:
nevertheless this decree shall be fulfilled, as I promised2390
thee at first. I tell thee truth, at this very season a son
shall be born of thy wife: when I return to this same
dwelling another time, then shall my promise of increase
be fulfilled: thou shalt look upon a son, thine own child,2395
dear Abraham!"