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Budge_Ethiopic_Alexander

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THE TESTAMENT OF ALEXANDER. 345<br />

"wise honour it, and that ye may be guardians ofxext of<br />

"my name for ever. Guard my city,<br />

<strong>Alexander</strong>'s<br />

and protect Testament.<br />

"it, and do ye make exceeding honour to be paid<br />

"unto it continually, and do ye yourselves glorify<br />

"it, for ye must know that that city shall be an<br />

"object of praise, and that it shall shine above all<br />

"the cities [of the world], for it was built without<br />

"earth. And behold, I have already made mention<br />

"of its beauty, which is everlasting, and therefore<br />

"I have no need to publish abroad its glory at<br />

"all seasons, neither will I multiply words [con-<br />

"cerning it], but I will proceed now to make mention<br />

"of such things as are fitting.<br />

"And, behold, I have stablished [my] testament,<br />

"and my decree, and the honour with which it is<br />

"to be honoured, and I appoint each of you thereby<br />

"to offices of public honour, and I appoint you to<br />

"the offices held by your fathers. And behold, we<br />

"order the nobles of the palace and the overseers<br />

"of the ancient temples to give ten thousand di-<br />

''nanir to the churches of Egypt and to the officers<br />

"thereof in order that they may adorn themselves<br />

"in a fitting manner, according to the manner of<br />

"the adornment of the Egyptians. And, behold,<br />

"I have ordained that this service shall be rendered<br />

"in the royal palace so long as our authority is<br />

"in this country, and I decree that this [p. 201]<br />

"new gift shall be made from my royaP revenue<br />

' See the Syriac version, p. 139, and Miiller, p. 147, col. 2.<br />

2 The MS, has aolF'^ -<br />

XX

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