victor-token, or else cut off from all the world with
persecution, and exiled from all good.

(ll. 2325-2337) "Do as I bid thee: I will be gracious unto you if
ye will use that token of true faith. Thy wife shall bear a son,
and men shall call him Isaac. Thou shalt not need to shame thee
for him, but I will grant him grace divine, by My great might,
and many a friend. He shall receive My blessing and My bliss, My
love and favour. From him shall spring a mighty people and many
a valiant leader, rulers of kingdoms, lords of the world,
renowned afar."


XXXIII

(ll. 2338-2347) Then Abraham laid his face upon the ground and
pondered these sayings in his heart with scorn. For he deemed
that never the day would come when Sarah, his greyhaired wife,
would bear a son. Full well he knew that she had lived an
hundred winters in the world. And full of years he spake unto
the Lord:

(ll. 2348-2352) "May Ishmael live according to Thy laws, O Lord,
and render Thee a thankful and a steadfast spirit, an earnest
heart to do Thy will, by night and day, in word and deed."

(ll. 2353-2354) And graciously Eternal God, Almighty Lord, made
answer:

(ll. 2355-2369) "Yet shall Sarah bear a son, though old in