Budge_Ethiopic_Alexander

308
THE HISTORY OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT.
"children for death, and for death are all children
Speech of "born. Now that my friend and the offspring
"of [my] heart hath removed afar off what can I
"do? And how can I rejoice in the gladness of
"life and in the riches of the world when my
"spirit faileth me and is crushed to pieces? Hence-
"forth there is no living thing which can gladden
"me, and no meat will afford me pleasure, and
"there is no place wherein I can any longer dwell
"[in comfort]; but I will go forth unto the wilder-
"ness and dwell with the wild beasts, for it will
"be better for me to live as they live than to
"dwell in this fleeting and perishing world." And
when [p. 179] Alexander's mother had finished her
weeping she sent away and dismissed the guests
to their homes.
And it came to pass that certain of Alexander's
disciples gathered themselves together while he
lay among them in the pains, and agonies, and
bitterness of death, and they spake to each other,
saying, "Come, let us urge him to speak, so that we
"may partake of his wisdom, and so that we may
"lighten ourselves by his light before his lamp
"goeth out." Then one of those who were his
friends said unto him, "O good teacher, we see
"that thou art about to depart for this world to
"one which is better for thee, and that thou wilt
"leave us here alone and far away from thee.
"Instruct us so that our lamps may burn brightly,
"and give us of the light of thy wisdom, so that,
"in hasting to perform [thy] commandments, we