(ll. 319-330) As they descended on the oceanbottom that mighty
tribe had lifted up their standard mid the spear-host, high above
their shields their battle ensign, a golden lion, bravest of
beasts. Not long would they endure oppression by the lord of any
people while they might live and lift their spears to battle. In
the van were strife and stubborn hand-play, warriors valiant in
the weapon-struggle, fearless fighters, bloody wounds and clash
of helmets, onrush of a battle-host, as Judah's sons advanced.
(ll. 331-339) Behind that army proudly marched the seamen, sons
of Reuben; the vikings bore their bucklers over the salt
sea-marsh, a multitude of men, a mighty legion, advancing
unafraid. For his sin's sake Reuben yielded his dominion and
marched behind his kinsmen. From him his brother took his right
as first-born in the tribe, his eminence and wealth. Yet was he
ready.
(ll. 340-253) And after them with thronging bands the sons of
Simeon marched, the third division. Banners waved above the
marching warriors; with flashing spears the battle troop pressed
on. Over the ocean's bosom dawn arose, God's beacon, radiant
morning. The multitude went forth, the host advanced, one
mail-clad band behind another. And one man only led this mighty
folk, tribe after tribe, upon their march beneath the pillar of
cloud, whereby he won renown. And each observed the right of
nations and the rank of earls, as Moses gave them bidding.
(ll. 253-361) One father had they all, one of the patriarchs, a
well-loved leader, wise of heart and dear unto his kinsmen, who
held the landright and begat a line of valiant men, the tribe of
Israel, a holy race, God's own peculiar people. So ancient
writers tell us in their wisdom, who best have known the lineage
of men, their kinship and descent.
(ll. 362-376) Noah, the great prince, sailed over unknown waters,
deepest of floods that ever came on earth, and his three sons
with him. Within his heart he cherished holy faith. Wherefore
he steered across the oceanstreams the richest treasure whereof I
ever heard. To save the life of all the tribes of earth the wise
sea-prince had numbered out a lasting remnant, a first generation,
male and female, of every living kind that brought forth offspring,
more various than men now know. And likewise in the bosom of their
ship they bore the seed of every growing thing that men enjoy
beneath the heavens.
(ll. 377-396) Now Abraham's father, as the wise men tell us, was
ninth from Noah in lineage and descent. This is the Abraham the
God of angels named with a name, and gave the holy tribes into
his keeping, far and near, and made him mighty over nations. He
lived in exile. Thereafter, at the Holy One's behest, he took
the lad, most dear of all to him, and they two, son and father,
climbed together a high land unto the hill of Sion. And there,
so men have heard, they found a covenant and holy pledge, and saw
God's glory. And there, in after years, the son of David, the
great king, the wisest of all earthly princes, according to the
teaching of the prophets, built a temple unto God, a holy fane,
the holiest and highest and most famous among men, the greatest
and most splendid of all temples the sons of men have built upon
the earth.
(ll. 397-416) Abraham took Isaac, his son, and went to the place
appointed, and kindled the altar flame. The first of murderers
was not more doomed. As a bequest to men he would have
sacrificed his well-loved son with fire and flame, his only heir
on earth, the best of children, the lasting hope and comfort of
his life, for which he long had waited. The farfamed man laid
hand upon the lad and drew his ancient sword (loud rang the
blade), and showed he held his son's life not more dear than to
obey the King of heaven. Up rose the earl. He would have slain
his son, and put the lad to death with blood-red blade, if God
had not withheld him. The Glorious Father would not take his son
in holy sacrifice, but laid His hand upon him. And out of heaven
a restraining Voice, a Voice of glory, spake, and said to him:
(ll. 417-445) "Abraham! Put not the lad, thy son, to death, nor
slay him with the sword! The Lord of all hath proven thee, and
truth is known, that thou hast kept the covenant with God, a
faithful compact. And that shall be to thee an everlasting peace
through all the days of thy life for ever. Doth the son of man
require a greater pledge? Heaven and earth may not cover the
words of His glory, which are ampler and greater than the regions
of earth may include, the orb of the world, and the heavens
above, the ocean depths and the murmuring air. The King of
angels and Wielder of fates, Lord of hosts, Dispenser of victory,
sweareth an oath by His life, that men on earth with all their
wisdom shall never know the number of thy tribe and kinsmen,
shield-bearing men, to tell it truly, except someone shall grow
so wise of heart that he alone may number all the stones on earth
and stars in heaven, sand of the sea-dunes, and salt waves of the
sea. But thy tribe, the best of peoples, free-born of their
fathers, shall dwell in the land of Canaan between the two seas
even unto the nations of Egypt...."
((LACUNA--One or two leaves missing.))