Budge_Ethiopic_Alexander

THE TRAVELS OF GERASIMAS. 565
"from myself the lust of this fleeting world. And
"I entreat Thee, O Lord, and I beseech Thee
"to give me strength, and might, and patient
"endurance, that I may be able to dwell with these
"monks and to wear their holy garb, and that I
"may end my life according to Thy Will.' And
"hear ye this, O all ye saints, God Almighty
"granted unto me that which I asked of Him,
"and I dwelt in that place for six and forty years.
"And I wore their garb and I joined with them
"in fasting, and prayer, and in vigils by night
"and by day, in love, and in charity, and in safety,
"and in peace, and in orthodoxy, and there was
"neither enmity, nor rebellion, nor pride among
"us, but [we dwelt] together in love and good
"fellowship."
And they answered and said unto him, "What The narra-
"hath brought thee to us? Who told thee
tive of Geraour^'i^a"'
"mystery.'' And who revealed to thee concerning
"us.'^" And Gerasimas answered and said unto
them, "A certain holy monk, my syncellus, brought
"unto me the 'Book of King Alexander,' and I
"read it, and I heard the story of you therefrom.
"Then I left the book and gave it [p. 363] to
"[another] monk, and I rose up, and prayed, and
"made entreaty unto God for forty days and forty
"nights. And hearken, O saints, God Almighty
"sent His aneel unto me from heaven, and he
"guided me, and revealed to me the path whereby
"I have come unto you. And he said unto me,
"'Go in this path,' and I marched on for many