(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.
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