_Abraham._ 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 Cœlestis._ Say forth, good Abraham, for ill dost thou not intend. _Abraham._ Haply there may be five less in the same number, For thy sake I hope thou wilt not the rest accombre.[613] _Pater Cœlestis._ If I among them might find but five and forty Them would I not lose for that just company. _Abraham._ What if the city may forty righteous make? _Pater Cœlestis._ Then will I pardon it for those same forty's sake. _Abraham._ Be not angry, Lord, though I speak undiscreetly. _Pater Cœlestis._ Utter thy whole mind and spare me not hardly. _Abraham._ Peradventure there may be thirty found among them. _Pater Cœlestis._ May I find thirty, I will nothing do unto them. _Abraham._ I take upon me too much, Lord, in thy sight. _Pater Cœlestis._ No, no, good Abraham, for I know thy faith is right. _Abraham._ No less, I suppose, than twenty can it have. _Pater Cœlestis._ Could I find twenty, that city would I save. _Abraham._ Once yet will I speak my mind, and then no more. _Pater Cœlestis._ Spare not to utter so much as thou hast in store. _Abraham._ And what if there might be ten good creatures found? _Pater Cœlestis._ 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 Cœlestis._ 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 Cœlestis._ 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 Cœlestis._ 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 Cœlestis._ Farewell, Abraham, for here in place I leave thee.