(ll. 2096-2106) Southward the tidings of battle were borne to the
people of Sodom: news of their fierce foes' flight. The lord of
the folk, bereft of earls and desolate of friends, went out unto
Abraham, to meet him. And with him journeyed Salem's
treasure-warden, Melchizedek the mighty, the bishop of the folk.
He came with gifts, gave Abraham fair greeting, the lord of armed
men, and blessed him with God's blessing, and said:
(ll. 2107-2120) "Well hast thou borne thee among men, before His
eyes who gave thee glory in the battle--that is, God the Lord,
who brake the power of thy foes, and let thee hew thy way to
safety with the sword, regain the spoil, and fell thine enemies.
They perished in the track of their retreat. The marching host
throve not in battle, but God put them to flight. With His hands
He shielded thee against the force of greater numbers in the
battle because of the holy covenant which thou dost keep with the
Lord of heaven."
(ll. 2121-2125) And the prince laid his hand upon him and blessed
him, and Abraham gave a tenth part of all the booty unto the
bishop of God. Then unto Abraham spake the battle-king, the
prince of Sodom, bereft of his warriors (he had need of favour):
(ll. 2126-2135) "Restore me now the maidens of my people whom
thou hast rescued with thy host from evil bondage. Keep thou the
twisted gold that was my people's, the wealth and treasure. But
let me lead again in freedom to their native land and wasted
dwellings the children of my people, the women and lads and
widows in their affliction. Our sons are dead and all our
nobles, save a few only who must guard with me the marches of our
land."
(ll. 2136-2138) And straightway, crowned with valour and victory
and glory, Abraham made answer before the earls. Right nobly
spake he:
(ll. 2139-2160) "I say to thee, O prince of men, before the Holy
Lord of earth and heaven, there is no worldly treasure I will
take, nor scot nor shilling of what I have redeemed for thee
among the bowmen, great prince and lord of men, lest that thou
afterward shouldest say that I grew rich with the riches of Sodom
and its olden treasure. But thou mayest take hence with thee all
that booty which I won for thee in battle, save only the portion
of these lordly men, of Aner, and of Mamre, and of Eshcol. I
will not willingly deprive these warriors of their right, for
they upheld me in the shock of battle and fought to thine
advantage. Depart now, taking home the well-wrought gold, and
lovely maidens, the daughters of thy people. Thou needest not to
dread the onrush of thy foes, or war of the Northmen, but the
blood-stained birds of prey are resting on the mountain slopes,
gorged with the slain of their armies."
(ll. 2161-2167) Then the king departed to his home with the booty
which the holy Hebrew prince, mindful of honour, had given him.
And the Lord of heaven appeared again unto Abraham, comforting
the noble man of heart with holy speech, and said:
(ll. 2168-2172) "Great shall be thy reward! Let not thy heart be
shaken, doing My will. Thou needest have no whit of dread if
thou wilt keep My precepts, but I will shield thee with My hands,
and shelter thee from every evil, so long as thy life endureth.
Be not afraid."