aders of the folk had lived at ease. And they sought
out men for this work and deed of sin, in rash pride showing
forth their strength. Greedy for glory, they reared a city with
their hands, and raised a ladder up to heaven, and in their vain
strength built a wall of stone beyond the measure of men.

(ll. 1678-1701) Then came Holy God to look upon the work of the
children of men, the citadel and the tower which the sons of Adam
were beginning to rear unto heaven. Stern of heart, the King
reproved their folly, and in His wrath confounded the tongues of
the dwellers of earth, and they might not prosper in their
speech. Then the leaders of the work in pride of strength met
together about the tower in many bands. But no one band could
understand another. And they left off to build the wall of
stone, and were wretchedly sundered into tribes divided by their
speech. And every tribe became alien to every other tribe, when
the Lord in His might sundered the speech of men. So the divided
sons of men were scattered on four ways in search of land. And
behind them the steadfast tower of stone, and the high citadel,
stood unfinished together in the land of Shinar.

(ll. 1702-1718) Now the tribe of Shem increased and flourished
under heaven. And a certain man of that tribe, of thoughtful
heart and given to virtue, had noble children. Two goodly sons
were born to him, and bred in Babylon, great-hearted princes
named Abraham and Haran. And the Lord of angels was their guide
and friend. Now Haran had a noble son, whose name was Lot. And
Abraham and Lot throve excellently before the Lord as was their
nature from their elders. Wherefore men proclaim their virtues
far and wide upon the earth.

XXVI

(ll. 1719-1729) Then was the time fulfilled, and Abraham brought
a wife unto his home, a fair and comely woman to his dwelling.
And her name was Sarah, as the writings tell us. Many a winter
they enjoyed the world, prospering in peace for many a year. But
it was not given unto Abraham that his comely wife should bear
him children, or an heir unto his house.

(ll. 1730-1743) And Abraham's father went out with his household,
and with all their substance, journeying through the realm of the
Chaldeans. Fain would the wise lord with his kinsfolk seek the
land of Canaan. And Abraham and Lot, his kinsmen, dear to God,
departed with him out of that country. The noble sons of men
chose them a dwelling in the land of Haran,