rdon it for those same forty's sake.

_Abraham._ Be not angry, Lord, though I speak undiscreetly.

_Pater Coelestis._ Utter thy whole mind and spare me not hardly.

_Abraham._ Peradventure there may be thirty found among them.

_Pater Coelestis._ May I find thirty, I will nothing do unto them.

_Abraham._ I take upon me too much, Lord, in thy sight.

_Pater Coelestis._ No, no, good Abraham, for I know thy faith is right.

_Abraham._ No less, I suppose, than twenty can it have.

_Pater Coelestis._ Could I find twenty, that city would I save.

_Abraham._ Once yet will I speak my mind, and then no more.

_Pater Coelestis._ Spare not to utter so much as thou hast in store.

_Abraham._ And what if there might be ten good creatures found?

_Pater Coelestis._ The rest for their sakes might so be safe and sound,
And not destroyed for their abomination.

_Abraham._ O merciful Maker, much is thy toleration
And sufferance of sin: I see it now indeed;
Vouchsafe yet of favour out of those cities to lead
Those that be faithful, though their flock be but small.

_Pater Coelestis._ Lot and his household, I will deliver all,
For righteousness sake, which is of me and not them.

_Abraham._ Great are thy graces in the generation of Shem.

_Pater Coelestis._ Well, Abraham, well, for thy true faithfulness
Now will I give thee my covenant or third promise.
Look thou believe it as thou covetest righteousness.

_Abraham._ Lord, so regard me as I receive it with gladness.

_Pater Coelestis._ Of many peoples the father I will make thee,
All generations in thy seed shall be blessed:
As the stars of heaven, so shall thy kindred be;
And by the same seed the world shall be redressed
In circumcision shall this thing be expressed,
As in a sure seal, to prove my promise true,
Print this in thy faith, and it shall thy soul renew.

_Abraham._ I will not one jot, Lord, from thy will dissent
But to thy pleasure be always obedient,
Thy laws to fulfil, and most precious commandment.

_Pater Coelestis._ Farewell, Abraham, for here in place I leave
thee.

_Abraham._ Thanks will I render, like as it shall behove me.
Everlasting praise to thy most glorious name,
Which savedst Adam through faith in thy sweet promise
Of the woman's seed, and now confirmest the same
In the seed of me. Forsooth great is thy goodness.
I cannot perceive but that thy mercy is endless.
To such as fear thee, in every generation,
For it endureth without abbrevi