XXXIII.
"I did that, not for evil nor for hostility nor for any
woe that I might bring upon thee. But by this strat-
agem, O ruler of men, I protected myself against blows
of the fierce sword, far from my kinsfolk [as I was]
Since the Holy One[37] first led me from the family of2695
the prince, my father, I have sought out many peoples,
strange allies, and this woman with me, destitute of
friends: I always kept this peril in mind, when some foe2700
should deprive me—a stranger—of my life, who wished
to have this woman for his own. Therefore I have told
warriors in plain words that Sarra was my sister, wher-2705
ever on this earth we have had to contend against
foreigners in our exile. I did the same thing in this
country, great king, after I chose thy protection: nor
was there any knowledge in my heart as to whether2710
the fear of God Almighty was in this race, when I first
came here; therefore I concealed from thy ministers and
from thyself as well as possible the true statement that
Sarra was wont to enter my bed with me as my wife."2715
Then Abimæleh began to enrich Abraham with worldly
treasures and returned his wife to him: he gave him
to boot, when he received his wife, live stock and bright
silver and serving-folk. The protector of the nobles2720
spoke further to Abraham, in these words:
"Dwell with us and choose thee a dwelling-place in
this land, a noble site where it is most to thy liking: I
must have thee; be a faithful friend to us; we will give2725
thee riches."
Then quickly the dispenser of treasure spoke further
to Sarra, in other words:
"Nor need Abraham, thy lord and master, set it in
reproach against thee that thou hast trodden the ways
of my dwelling, O woman goddess-fair: for I have richly2730
repaired thine offence with him, with white silver. Do
not trouble yourselves to seek riches and strange friends
away from this land, but dwell here."
Abraham did as his king bade him, and at the ruler's2735
behest accepted friendship, love, and peace. He was
dear to God: therefore he enjoyed tranquility happily
and proceeded under the shadow of his Creator, covered2740
by His protecting wings, while he lived. But God
was still angry at Abimeleh for the sin which he had
committed against Sarra and Abraham, when he sepa-
rated these two loving ones, the wife and the husband.2745
He received a severe penalty for this deed: for neither
free nor slave women could reward[38] the men their
masters with children, for the Lord prevented it, until
the holy Abraham began to pray Eternal God for grace2750
in behalf of his king. The Protector of the Angels granted
him his prayer, and restored to the king the fertility
of the free and the enslaved, men and women; again
the Ruler of the skies allowed the number of their off-2755
spring to increase, their prosperity and possessions: the
Almighty Keeper of Mankind became mild in heart
towards Abimeleh, as Abraham entreated Him.
Then the Almighty Lord came to Sarra, as He Himself2760
promised: Our Master, the Ruler of Life, had fulfilled His
promise to the dear man and woman. A son was be-
gotten of Abraham upon his wife, whom the Prince of
the Angels named Isaac even before the mother was great2765
with child by the chieftain. Abraham with his own hand
set the sign upon him, as the Lord glorious in splendor
bade him, about a week from the time when his mother2770
brought him into the world to mankind.