that Sarra was thy sister, thy blood relation;
through that woman thou wouldst have foully put upon
me sin, measureless evil! We received thee honorably, 2685
and in friendship gave thee a dwelling-place among this
people, land at thy pleasure: now thou makest return
and thankest us [most] ungratefully for our favors!"

XXXIII.

Abraham then answered: 2690

"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 of 2695
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 foe 2700
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 whether 2710
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 Abimaeleh 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 nobles 2720
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 give 2725
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 richly 2730
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 di