Budge_Ethiopic_Alexander

ALEXANDER ADDRESSES RAHAMAN. 299
"For when a man knoweth that death is to be Alexander's
. - , , ^ . , , address to
spoken ol, or that any mention oi it is to beRahaman.
"made, or that any man describeth it with reference
"unto himself, his understanding melteth away by
"reason of the difficuky [of understanding it], and
"light becometh darkness to him, and fear dis-
"turbeth him sorely, for his heart maketh him to
"suffer pain." And it separateth a man from his
"desires, and from his pleasures, and from his
"sleep; and although it protracteth his weeping
"instead of his laughter, nevertheless he himself
"maketh it to endure perpetually in his mind;
"and that which is said concerning it, and that
"which is said about it are [ever] on his tongue,
"and it robbeth him of his strength [p. 173] of
"heart, and the desire of the world removeth
"itself afar off, and [his mind]^ is a lie, and that
"which is in it is deceit. Now the righteous are
"those who have forsaken and rejected the be-
"getting of children, and earthly possessions; and
"they have entered into their righteousness and
"into their habitations. But the heavy laden are
"those who have no deliverance from death, and
"who have confessed their sins, and have hearkened
"concerning their souls, and who have believed
"that God hath had mercy upon them and in the
"things which were written for them, O Rahaman.
"Now this which I have to drink is a cup which
"was ordained for me, and I have told thee con-
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