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 again 2090
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 a 2095
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 the 2100
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 with 2110