Chapter X

God’s messengers go to Sodom. Lot is sitting alone at the “door of his lodge.” Staring into the street he sees two men. Beardless chins they had, and hair like raw silk. Beautifully white were their weeds. Lot runs to meet them. Invites them to remain awhile in his house, and in the morning they may take their way. Lot invites them so long that at last they comply. The wife and daughters of Lot welcome their visitors. Lot admonishes his men to prepare the meat, and to serve no salt with it. Lot’s wife disregards the injunction. The guests are well entertained. But before they go to rest the city is up in arms. With “keen clubs” the folk clatter on the walls, and demand that Lot should deliver up his guests. The wind yet stinks with their filthy speech. Lot is in great trouble. He leaves his guests and addresses the Sodomites. He offers to give up to them his two daughters. The rebels raise a great noise, and ask who made him a justice to judge their deeds, who was but a boy when he came to Sodom. The young men bring Lot within doors, and smite those outside with blindness. In vain they try to find the door of Lot’s house.