Budge_Ethiopic_Alexander

246 THE HISTORY OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT.
"of Paradise, and drove him forth out of this land'
"in which thou goest round about. Now thou hast
"imaofined that this darkness through which thou
"hast journeyed is land, but in travelling upon it
"thou hast not travelled upon land, for what thou
"hast passed over is water, and, moreover, thou
"hast only made thy way through this darkness
"for one night. And as concerning the rest of
"thy goings they will be upon water, that is to
"say, [on] the great sea which surroundeth all
Alexander's "creation. And from the time when God Al-
ney."^ ""'"mighty created Adam until this day wherein thou
"hast come to me, no man hath been able at any
"time to journey in the path which thou hast taken,
"and no created thing whatsoever knoweth this
"place. Know, moreover, that it is God Almighty
"Who hath granted thee to see this wonderful
"thing. And as concerninof that which thou hast
"asked of me about the order which hath been
"given to me, and about my holding fast this
"mountain that thy foot may not slide, I will tell
"thee what commands the Creator of me and of
The angel "thee gave unto me. Now this mountain surroundeth
creation, "all thc earth, all seas, and all lakes and rivers,
"and beyond it there is absolutely nothing at all.
"In the mountain itself there are no created thins^s
"whatsoever except darkness, and the Water of
"Life, that floweth from a river, which floweth
"forth from beneath the throne of the glorious