“Lo, Lord, already here I am,”
replied Abraham.
“Take Isaac thy son by name,”
the voice continued,
“And in sacrifice offer him to Me
Upon that hill, beside thee.
Abraham, I will that it so be
For aught that may befall.”
Though almost stunned with grief at the command, Abraham at once declared himself ready to obey the Lord. He said that all his household should remain at home except Isaac, with whom he would go to the appointed hill.
By this time Mistress Harpham was leaning anxiously over the children’s shoulders, for she knew that Giles in the character of Isaac was waiting to come on to the stage. All the guests were also very excited and full of expectation.