called unto Abraham with a loud voice. In stillness he abode the
herald's message and answered the angel. Swiftly the glorious
minister of God addressed him from the heavens:

(ll. 2914-2922) "Slay not thy son, dear Abraham, but take the lad
from the altar alive. The God of glory is gracious unto him!
Great shall thy reward be, Hebrew prince, true meed of victory
and ample gifts, at the holy hands of the Heavenly King. The
Lord of spirits will bless thee with His blessing because His
love and favour were dearer unto thee than thine own son."

(ll. 2923-2936) The altar-fire stood kindled. The Lord of men
had gladdened the heart of Abraham, kinsman of Lot, when He
restored to him his son, alive. And the blessed man, brother of
Haran, looked over his shoulder and beheld a ram standing not far
off, caught fast in the brambles. And Abraham took it, and laid
it upon the altar in the stead of his son, and drawing his sword
made ready an offering and an altar smoking with the blood of the
ram, and sacrificed that offering to God, and gave Him thanks for
all the loving kindness which the Lord had showed him, early and
late.



EXODUS


XLII

(ll. 1-7) Lo! far and wide throughout the earth we have heard