ne of the male sex, if thou wilt
have in me a Master or dear Friend of thy race. I shall
[always] be keeper and sustainer of this people, if thou 2315
dost obey me in thy innermost thoughts and art willing
to fulfil my commands. In his infancy shall every
individual of the male sex in this race, about seven nights
after he comes into the world, be marked for me with 2320
the sign of victory, or from the face of the earth be
driven far through my hostility, thrust out from his
possessions. Do as I bid: I will be true to you all, if
ye bear that sign with true faith. Thou shalt possess 2325
a son, a child by thy wife, whom men shall all call Isaac.
Nor needst thou be ashamed of this son: but I will give
to this man-child my divine gifts, by the might of the
spirit, abundance of friends, with prosperity. He shall 2330
receive my grace and blessing, love and favor. From
this prince shall come broad nations, shall arise many
famous warriors, keepers of kingdoms, world-kings widely 2335
renowned."

XXVIII.

Then Abraham in haste laid his cheek on the earth,
and with scorn turned over these words in his mind, the
thoughts of his heart: at that period of time he himself 2340
did not believe that Sarra, his grey-haired bride, could
bring a son into the world to him; he knew well that his
wife had already numbered at least one hundred winters,
by actual reckoning. So then, wise in years, he spoke 2345
thus to the Lord:

"May Ismael live according to Thy commandments,
Lord, and give thee thanks with wise and steady mind
and stout heart, doing Thy will day and night in word 2350
and deed!"

Then the Almighty King and Everlasting Lord an-
swered him fairly:

"Though much worn in years, Sarra shall bring a son
into the world to thee; the future shall truly proceed in 2355
accordance with these words here pronounced. I will now
bless with my grace Ismael, as thou art petitioner, for
thy first born, so that he may dwell many days in the
kingdom of this world with spreading progeny; be thou 2360
sure of that! But Isaac thy son, the young child who
has not yet come into the world, I will distinguish ex-
ceedingly with abundance of joys and every kind of
riches, in his days, and certainly leave in his heart my 2365
pledge and holy faith, and be kind to him."

Abraham did as the Eter