ABRAHAM FIDELIS. Yet, merciful Lord, thy graciousness remember To Adam and Noah, both in thy word and promise: And lose not the souls of men in so great number, But save thine own work, of thy most discreet goodness. I wot thy mercies are plentiful and earnest. Never can they die nor fail, thyself enduring, This hath faith fixed fast in my understanding. PATER COELESTIS. Abraham, my servant, for thy most faithful meaning, Both thou and thy stock shall have my plenteous blessing. Where the unfaithful, under my curse evermore, For their vain working shall rue their wickedness sore. ABRAHAM FIDELIS. Tell me, blessed Lord, where will thy great malice light? My hope is, all flesh shall not perish in thy sight. PATER COELESTIS. No, truly, Abraham, thou chancest upon the right. The thing I shall do I will not hide from thee, Whom I have blessed for thy true fidelity: For I know thou wilt cause both thy children and servants In my ways to walk, and trust unto my covenants, That I may perform with thee my earnest promise. ABRAHAM FIDELIS. All that will I do, by assistance of thy goodness. PATER COELESTIS. From Sodom and Gomorrah the abhominations call For my great vengeance, which will upon them fall: Wild fire and brimstone shall light upon them all. ABRAHAM FIDELIS. Pitiful Maker, though they have kindled thy fury, Cast not away yet the just sort with the ungodly. Paraventure there may be fifty righteous persons Within those cities, wilt thou lose them all at once, And not spare the place, for those fifty righteous' sake? Be it far from thee such rigour to undertake. I hope there is not in thee so cruel hardness, As to cast away the just men with the rechless, And so to destroy the good with the ungodly. In the judge of all be never such a fury. PATER COELESTIS. At Sodom, if I may find just persons fifty, The place will I spare for their sakes verily. ABRAHAM FIDELIS. I take upon me to speak here in thy presence, More than becomes me; Lord, pardon my negligence: I am but ashes, and were loth thee to offend. PATER COELESTIS. Say forth, good Abraham, for ill dost thou not intend. ABRAHAM FIDELIS. Happily there may be five less in the same number: For their sakes I trust thou wilt not the rest accumber.[293] PATER COELESTIS. If I among them might find but five-and-forty, Then would I not lose for that just company. ABRAHAM FIDELIS. What if the city may forty righteous make? PATER COELESTIS. Then will I pardon it for those same forty's sake. ABRAHAM FIDELIS. Be not angry, Lord, though I speak indiscreetly. PATER COELESTIS. Utter thy whole mind, and spare me not hardily. ABRAHAM FIDELIS. Paraventure there may be thirty found among them. PATER COELESTIS. May I find thirty, I will nothing do unto them. ABRAHAM FIDELIS. I take upon me too much, Lord, in thy sight. PATER COELESTIS. No, no, good Abraham, for I know thy faith is right. ABRAHAM FIDELIS. No less, I suppose, than twenty can it have.