Then I heard how under the cover of night the heroes2060
ventured on into battle: the din of shields and shafts
arose in their sleeping-quarters, the slaughter of archers
and impact of battle-arrows; sharp swords smote hate-
fully under the breast of men, and the bodies of foes2065
fell thickly, where the exulting heroes and comrades
were bringing together the spoil. Victory, men's glory
in war, turned aside again from the battle of the north-
men. Abraham gave armed conflict and not in any2070
wise wrought gold, as ransom for his nephew; he slew
and felled the enemy in fair fight: to aid him, the Guard-
ian of the heavenly kingdom took The four armies were put to flight, [with] the kings and
leaders of the people: behind them pressed the joyful2075
band and [there] the heroes were slain; the others were
given over to flight,—those who had stolen the gold of
Sodom and Gomorra, and robbed the stewards: fiercely did2080
the uncle of Loth requite them for it. The noble leaders
of the Elamites were fleeing, bereft of power, until they
were not far from Domascus. Then Abraham set out on2085
the war-track to see the retreat of the wicked men. Lot
was freed, the chieftain with his possessions, [while] the
women [and] wives were restored to joy. Far and wide
they saw the birds of prey rending the murderers of free-
men in sword-slaughter. Abraham brought back again2090
the treasure and brides of the southlanders, the children
of the nobles nearer their homes, the maidens to their
families. Of all men living here [on earth], no one ever
achieved a more worthy military expedition with a2095
small force which was attacking so great a multitude.
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.