My blessing as thou dost
ask, that his days may be long in the land, and his race may
multiply. This will I grant thee. So also will I prosper Isaac,
thy younger son, who is not yet born, with every good and
pleasant thing all the days of his life. And I will surely keep
My covenant with him and holy faith, and show him favour."

(ll. 2370-2381) And Abraham did even as Eternal God commanded,
and, in accordance with his Lord's behest, he set the sign of the
covenant upon his son, and bade his bondmen also bear that holy
token. He was wise of heart, and mindful of the covenant and
pledge which God had given him, and he himself received the
glorious sign. God, the Mighty King, increased his glory in the
world. And he strove in all his ways to work the will of his
Lord....

((LACUNA--One leaf missing))

(ll. 2382-2389) But the woman laughed at the Lord of hosts with
derision; full of years, she pondered those sayings in her heart
with scorn. She had no faith that His words would be fulfilled.
And when the Lord of heaven heard that in her bower the wife of
Abraham laughed in unbelief, then spake the Holy God:

(ll. 2390-2398) "Lo! Sarah trusteth not My word. Yet all shall
be fulfilled according as I promised thee in the beginning. I
tell thee truly, at this self-same season thy wife shall bear a
son. And when I come again unto this dwelling My word shall be
fulfilled, and thine eyes shall behold thy son, dear Abraham."

XXXIV

(ll. 2399-2407) And alter these words they departed swiftly away
from the place of oracle. The holy spirits turned their steps
(and the Prince of light was their companion) till they beheld
high Sodom's city-walls. They saw high halls towering above
precious treasure and mansions above ruddy gold. And the
Righteous Lord of heaven held long discourse with Abraham:

(ll. 2408-2418) "I hear loud tumult in this city and brawling of
sinful men, the boastful words of tipplers drunk with ale, and
evil speech of multitudes within their walls. Heavy are the sins
of this people and the offences of these faithless men. But I
will search out what this people do, O Hebrew prince, and whether
they sin so greatly in their thoughts and deeds as their evil
tongues speak fraud and guile. Verily brimstone and black flame,
bitter and grim and fiercely burning, shall visit vengeance on
these heathen folk...."

((LACUNA--One leaf missing.))

XXXV

(ll. 2419-2437) And so these men abode t