Budge_Ethiopic_Alexander

A CHRISTIAN ROMANCE. 507
"truth, according as ye are able, ye shall receive
"the vigour of youth. In proportion to your in- Alexander's
"firmity the greater shall be your reward, and iup^erity.
"proportion as ye suffer misery the greater shall
"be your glory, if ye fight with good and ready
"will so that the Adversary cast you not down
"—now God Almighty giveth strength unto those
"that fear him—and if ye remember your infirmity. Advice to
"then know that there is none who can avail to"'^"'
"deliver you. Woe unto you if ye die without
"repentance, for there is none who can benefit
"you. Neither son nor husband can make himself
"fair, or beautify himself either with gold, or silver,
"or apparel, for they all are fleeting things. And
"as in [his] dream the hungry man is filled with
"food, but when he awaketh he perceiveth that
"his belly is empty, even so is the rich man in
"this world, for there is no advantage therein, and
"he is like an expanse of cloud and like a fleeting
"shadow. Take heed then, O women, and hearken
"unto my voice.
"And, moreover, let each virgin listen unto what Advice to
"I say. Preserve thy virginity like the apple of
"thine eye, and blessed art thou if thou abidest
"in my counsel until the time when those who
"begat thee wish [to give thee in marriage]. And
"if thou hast in thyself the power, know that it
"is fleeting, and preserve thyself until the day of
"thy death, so that thy lamp may shine in a dark
"country And if thou wilt not hearken
"unto my counsel, and dost say, 'I am feeble and
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