XXVII.

Then Abraham's queen became unkind, wrathful in 2260
heart towards her serving-maid, hard and cruel, spoke
bitter insults to the woman. Thereupon the latter fled
from threat and thraldom: she would not endure evil
and retribution for what she had formerly done to Sarra, 2265
but went forth on a journey to go into the wilderness.
There a servant of glory, an angel of the Lord, found her
sorrowing; he eagerly asked her:

"Whither do you intend to push your journey, my 2270
poor woman? Sarre owns thy service!"

She answered him at once:

"Deprived of every pleasure, jeered out of the house
by the hatred of my mistress, I have fled from woes,
afflictions, and injuries. Now with tear-stained cheek
must I await my fate[30] in the wilderness, [the time] 2275
when hunger or a wolf removes life and sorrow together
from my heart."

Then the angel answered her:

"Seek not thou in flight far hence to avoid thy con- 2280
cubinage, but return again, earn honor for thyself, begin
submissively to cultivate dutifulness, become dear to
thy master. Thou shalt, Agar, bring a son into the world
to Abraham: with my word I tell thee now that this 2285
man-child shall be called Ismahel, among men. He
shall be rough, warlike, hostile to the races of men and
to his own kinsfolk: many a one shall struggle against 2290
him in wrath, with assault of arms. From this prince
nations shall spring, numberless peoples. Depart now
to seek thy master again: live with those who own thee!"

In accordance with the angel's command, she at once
returned to her lord, as the holy spirit-messenger of God 2295
bade her, in sapient speech. Thus was Ismael born to
Abraham, even when he had [lived] 86 winters in the
world. The son grew and flourished, as the angel, the 2300
true minister of peace, had promised to the woman by
his own word.

About thirteen years after that, the Lord and Ever-
lasting King spoke with Abraham:

"Dear man, as I command thee, so do thou keep well
our covenant: I will to all time exalt thee in blessings. 2305
Be thou zealously observant of my will in thy deeds:
I will still further confirm with truth the pledge which
I gave to thee as earnest of comfort, when thy spirit
grieved. Thou shalt hallow thy household: set a true 2310
sign of victory on each o