These are all forms of Christian Apocrypha
Revelation of Paul - Revelation of John the Theologian - Gospel of Marcion - Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew - part 1 - Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew - part 2 - Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew - part 3 - Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew - part 4 - Gospel of Peter - Gospel of the Nativity of Mary - Gospel of Mary of Magdalene - Gospel of James - Gospel of Bartholomew - Gospel of Nicodemus - Consummation of Thomas the Apostle - Compilation of Thomas - part 1 - Compilation of Thomas - part 2 - Apocalypse of the Virgin - Apocalypse of Peter - Apocalypse of Thomas - Acts of Thomas - Acts of Thomas - Part 2 - Acts of Thomas - Part 3 - Acts of Thomas - Part 4 - Acts of Phillip - Acts of Peter - Acts of Peter and Paul - Acts of Peter and Andrew - Acts of Paul - Acts of John - Acts of John the Theologian - Acts of Barnabus - Acts of Andrew and Matthew - Acts and Martyrdom of Matthew - Acts and Martyrdom of Andrew
The Acts of Thomas - Part 3
The Ninth Act: Of the Wife of Charisius.
82 Now it chanced that a certain woman, the wife of
Charisius, that was next unto the king, whose name was
Mygdonia, came to see and behold the new name and the new
God who was being proclaimed, and the new apostle who had
come to visit their country: and she was carried by her own
servants; and because of the great crowd and the narrow way
they were not able to bring her near unto him. And she sent
unto her husband to send her more to minister to her; and
they came and approached her, pressing upon the people and
beating them. And the apostle saw it and said to them:
Wherefore overthrow ye them that come to hear the word, and
are eager for it? and ye desire to be near me but are far
off, as it was said of the multitude that came unto the
Lord: Having eyes ye see not, and having ears ye hear not;
and he said to the multitudes: He that hath ears to hear,
let him hear; and: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
83 And looking upon them that carried her, he said unto
them: This blessing and this admonition [Here and elsewhere
there is a marked divergence between the texts of U and P,
the Roman and Paris MSS.: Bonnet prints them separately. P
is on the whole much shorter. Syr. differs from both. I
follow U, but it is very corrupt.] which was promised unto
them is for you that are heavily burdened now. Ye are they
that carry burdens grievous to be borne, and are borne about
by her command. And though ye are men, they lay on you loads
as on brute beasts, for they that have authority over you
think that ye are not men such as themselves, whether bond
or free. For neither shall possessions profit the rich, nor
poverty save the poor from judgement; nor have we received a
commandment which we are not able to perform, nor hath he
laid on us burdens grievous to be borne which we are not
able to carry; nor building which men build; nor to hew
stones and prepare houses, as your craftsmen do by their own
knowledge. But this commandment have we received of the
Lord, that that which pleaseth not us when it is done by
another this we should not do to any other man.
84 Abstain therefore first from adultery, for this is the
beginning of all evils, and next from theft, which enticed
Judas Iscariot, and brought him unto hanging; (and from
covetousness,) for as many as yield unto covetousness see
not that which they do; and from vainglory and from all foul
deeds, especially them of the body, whereby cometh eternal
condemnation. For this is the chief city of all evils; and
likewise it bringeth them that hold their heads (necks) high
unto tyranny, and draweth them down unto the deep, and
subdueth them under its hands that they see not what they
do; wherefore the things done of them are hidden from them.
85 But do ye become well pleasing unto God in all good
things, in meekness and quietness: for these doth God spare,
and granteth eternal life and setteth death at nought. And
in gentleness which followeth on all good things, and
overcometh all enemies and alone receiveth the crown of
victory: with gentleness (Syr.), and stretching out of the
hand to the poor, and supplying the want of the needy, and
distributing to them that are in necessity, especially them
that walk in holiness. For this is chosen before God and
leadeth unto eternal life: for this is before God the chief
city of all good: for they that strive not in the course
(stadium) of Christ shall not obtain holiness. And holiness
did appear from God, doing away fornication, overthrowing
the enemy, well pleasing unto God: for she is an invincible
champion (athlete), having honour from God, glorified of
many: she is an ambassador of peace, announcing peace: if
any gain her he abideth without care, pleasing the Lord,
expecting the time of redemption: for she doeth nothing
amiss, but giveth life and rest and joy unto all that gain
her. [P has nothing of this, and Syr. makes better sense,
but is not very interesting.]
86 But meekness hath overcome death and brought him under
authority, meekness hath enslaved the enemy (U and P and
Syr. now present the same text), meekness is the good yoke:
meekness feareth not and opposeth not the many: meekness is
peace and joy and exaltation of rest. Abide ye therefore in
holiness and receive freedom from me, and be near unto
meekness for in these three heads is portrayed the Christ
whom I proclaim unto you. Holiness is the temple of Christ,
and he that dwelleth in her getteth her for an habitation ,
because for forty days and forty nights he fasted, tasting
nothing: and he that keepeth her shall dwell in her as on a
mountain. And meekness is his boast: for he said unto Peter
our fellow apostle: Turn back thy sword and put it again
into the sheath thereof: for if I had willed so to do, could
I not have brought more than twelve legions of angels from
my Father?
87 And when the apostle had said these things in the
hearing of all the multitude, they trode and pressed upon
one another: and the wife of Charisius the king's kinsman
leapt out of her chair and cast herself on the earth before
the apostle, and caught his feet and besought and said: O
disciple of the living God, thou art come into a desert
country, for we live in the desert; being like to brute
beasts in our conversation, but now shall we be saved by thy
hands; I beseech thee, therefore, take thought of me, and
pray for me, that the compassion of the God whom thou
preachest may come upon me, and I may become his dwelling
place and be joined in prayer and hope and faith in him, and
I also may receive the seal and become an holy temple and he
may dwell in me.
88 And the apostle said: I do pray and entreat for you all,
brethren, that believe on the Lord, and for you, sisters,
that hope in Christ, that in all of you the word of God may
tabernacle and have his tabernacle therein: for we have no
power over them (Syr. because ye are given power over your
own souls). And he began to say unto the woman Mygdonia:
Rise up from the earth and compose thyself (take off thine
ornaments, P; be mindful of thyself, Syr.). For this attire
that is put on shall not profit thee nor the beauty of thy
body, nor thine apparel, neither yet the fame of thy rank,
nor the authority of this world, nor the polluted
intercourse with thine husband shall avail thee if thou be
bereaved of the true fellowship: for the appearance
(fantasy) of ornamenting cometh to nought, and the body
waxeth old and changeth, and raiment weareth out, and
authority and lordship pass away (U corrupt; P abridges;
Syr. has: passeth away accompanied with punishment,
according as each person hath conducted himself in it), and
the fellowship of procreation also passeth away, and is as
it were condemnation. Jesus only abideth ever, and they that
hope in him. Thus he spake, and said unto the woman: Depart
in peace, and the Lord shall make thee worthy of his own
mysteries. But she said: I fear to go away, lest thou
forsake me and depart unto another nation. But the apostle
said to her: Even if I go, I shall not leave thee alone, but
Jesus of his compassion will be with thee. And she fell down
and did him reverence and departed unto her house.
89 Now Charisius, the kinsman of Misdaeus the king, bathed
himself and returned and laid him down to dine. And he
inquired concerning his wife, where she was; for she had not
come out of her own chamber to meet him as she was wont. And
her handmaids said to him: She is not well. And he entered
quickly into the chamber and found her Lying on the bed and
veiled: and he unveiled her and kissed her, saying:
Wherefore art thou sorrowful to day? And she said: I am not
well. And he said unto her: Wherefore then didst thou not
keep the guise of thy freedom (Syr. pay proper respect to
thy position as a free woman) and remain in thy house, but
didst go and listen unto vain speeches and look upon works
of sorcery? but rise up and dine with me, for I cannot dine
without thee. But she said to him: To day I decline it, for
I am greatly afeared.
90 And when Charisius heard this of Mygdonia, he would not
go forth to dinner, but bade his servants bring her to dine
with him (Syr. bring food to him that he might sup in her
presence): when then they brought it in, he desired her to
dine with him, but she excused herself; since then she would
not, he dined alone, saying unto her: On thine account I
refused to dine with Misdaeus the king, and thou, wast thou
not willing to dine with me? but she said: It is because I
am not well. Charisius therefore rose up as he was wont and
would sleep with her, but she said: Did I not tell thee that
for today I refused it?
91 When he heard that he went to another bed and slept; and
awaking out of sleep he said: My lady Mygdonia, hearken to
the dream which I have seen. I saw myself lie at meat near
to Misdaeus the king, and a dish of all sorts was set before
us: and I saw an eagle come down from heaven and carry off
from before me and the king two partridges, which he set
against his heart; and again he came over us and flew about
above us, and the king bade a bow to be brought to him; and
the eagle again caught away from before us a pigeon and a
dove, and the king shot an arrow at him, and it passed
through him from one side to the other and hurt him not; and
he being unscathed rose up into his own nest. And I awoke,
and I am full of fear and sore vexed, because I had tasted
of the partridge, and he suffered me not to put it to my
mouth again. And Mygdonia said unto him: Thy dream is good:
for thou every day eatest partridges, but this eagle had not
tasted of a partridge until now.
92 And when it was morning Charisius went and dressed
himself and shod his right foot with his left shoe; and he
stopped, and said to Mygdonia: What then is this matter? for
look, the dream and this action of mine! But Mygdonia said
to him: And this also is not evil, but seemeth to me very
good; for from an unlucky act there will be a change unto
the better. And he washed his hands and went to salute
Misdaeus the king.
93 And likewise Mygdonia rose up early and went to salute
Judas Thomas the apostle, and she found him discoursing with
the captain and all the multitude, and he was advising them
and speaking of the woman which had received the Lord in her
soul, whose wife she was; and the captain said: She is the
wife of Charisius the kinsman of Misdaeus the king. And: Her
husband is a hard man, and in every thing that he saith to
the king he obeyeth him: and he will not suffer her to
continue in this mind which she hath promised; for often
times hath he praised her before the king, saying that there
is none other like her in love: all things therefore that
thou speakest unto her are strange unto her. And the apostle
said: If verily and surely the Lord hath risen upon her soul
and she hath received the seed that was cast on her, she
will have no care of this temporal life, nor fear death,
neither will Charisius be able to harm her at all: for
greater is he whom she hath received into her soul, if she
have received him indeed.
94 And Mygdonia hearing this said unto the apostle: In
truth, my lord, I have received the seed of thy words, and I
will bear fruit like unto such seed. The apostle saith: Our
souls give praise and thanks unto thee, O Lord, for they are
thine: our bodies give thanks unto thee, which thou hast
accounted worthy to become the dwelling place of thy
heavenly gift. And he said also to them that stood by:
Blessed are the holy, whose souls have never condemned them,
for they have gained them and are not divided against
themselves: blessed are the spirits of the pure, and they
that have received the heavenly crown whole from the world
(age) which hath been appointed them: blessed are the bodies
of the holy, for they have been made worthy to become
temples of God, that Christ may dwell in them: blessed are
ye, for ye have power to forgive sins: blessed are ye if ye
lose not that which is committed unto you, but rejoicing and
departing bear it away with you: blessed are ye the holy,
for unto you it is given to ask and receive: blessed are ye
meek for you hath God counted worthy to become heirs of the
heavenly kingdom. Blessed are ye meek, for ye are they that
have overcome the enemy: blessed are ye meek, for ye shall
see the face of the Lord. Blessed are ye that hunger for the
Lord's sake for for you is rest laid up, and your souls
rejoice from henceforth. Blessed are ye that are quiet, (for
ye have been counted worthy) to be set free from sin [and
from the exchange of clean and unclean beasts]. And when the
apostle had said these things in the hearing of all the
multitude, Mygdonia was the more confirmed in the faith and
glory and greatness of Christ.
95 But Charisius the kinsman and friend of Misdaeus the
king came to his breakfast and found not his wife in the
house; and he inquired of all that were in his house:
Whither is your mistress gone? And one of them answered and
said: She is gone unto that stranger. And when he heard this
of his servant, he was wroth with the other servants because
they had not straightway told him what was done: and he sat
down and waited for her. And when it was evening and she was
come into the house he said to her: Where wast thou? And she
answered and said: With the physician. And he said: Is that
stranger a physician? And she said: Yea, he is a physician
of souls: for most physicians do heal bodies that are
dissolved, but he souls that are not destroyed. Charisius,
hearing this, was very angry in his mind with Mygdonia
because of the apostle, but he answered her nothing, for he
was afraid; for she was above him both in wealth and birth:
but he departed to dinner, and she went into her chamber.
And he said to the servants: Call her to dinner. But she
would not come.
96 And when he heard that she would not come out of her
chamber, he went in and said unto her: Wherefore wilt thou
not dine with me and perchance not sleep with me as the wont
is? yea, concerning this I have the greater suspicion, for I
have heard that that sorcerer and deceiver teacheth that a
man should not live with his wife, and that which nature
requireth and the godhead hath ordained he overthroweth.
When Charisius said these things, Mygdonia kept silence. He
saith to her again: My lady and consort Mygdonia, be not led
astray by deceitful and vain words, nor by the works of
sorcery which I have heard that this man performeth in the
name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; for it was never yet
heard in the world that any raised the dead, and, as I hear,
it is reported of this man that he raiseth dead men. And for
that he neither eateth nor drinketh, think not that for
righteousness sake he neither eateth nor drinketh but this
he doth because he possesseth nought, for what should he do
which hath not even his daily bread? And he hath one garment
because he is poor, and as for his not receiving aught of
any (he doth so, to be sure, because he knoweth in himself
that he doth not verily heal any man, Syr.).
97 And when Charisius so said, Mygdonia was silent as any
stone, but she prayed, asking when it should be day, that
she might go to the apostle of Christ. And he withdrew from
her and went to dinner heavy in mind, for he thought to
sleep with her according to the wont. And when he was gone
out, she bowed her knees and prayed, saying: Lord God and
Master, merciful Father, Saviour Christ, do thou give me
strength to overcome thc shamelessness of Charisius, and
grant me to keep the holiness wherein thou delightest, that
I also may by it find eternal life. And when she had so
prayed she laid herself on her bed and veiled herself.
98 But Charisius having dined came upon her, and she cried
out, saying: Thou hast no more any room by me: for my Lord
Jesus is greater than thou, who is with me and resteth in
me. And he laughed and said: Well dost thou mock, saying
this of that sorcerer, and well dost thou deride him, who
saith: Ye have no life with God unless ye purify yourselves.
And when he had so said he essayed to sleep with her, but
she endured it not and cried out bitterly and said: I call
upon thee, Lord Jesu, forsake me not! for with thee have I
made my refuge; for when I learned that thou art he that
seekest out them that are veiled in ignorance and savest
them that are held in error And now I entreat thee whose
report I have heard and believed, come thou to my help and
save me from the shamelessness of Charisius, that his
foulness may not get the upper hand of me. And she smote her
hands together (tied his hands, Syr.) and fled from him
naked, and as she went forth she pulled down the curtain of
the bed chamber and wrapped it about her; and went to her
nurse, and slept there with her.
99 But Charisius was in heaviness all night, and smote his
face with his hands, and he was minded to go that very hour
and tell the king concerning the violence that was done him,
but he considered with himself, saying: If the great
heaviness which is upon me compelleth me to go now unto the
king, who will bring me in to him? for I know that my abuse
hath overthrown me from my high looks and my vainglory and
majesty, and hath cast me down into this vileness and
separated my sister Mygonia from me. Yea, if the king
himself stood before the doors at this hour, I could not
have gone out and answered him. But I will wait until dawn,
and I know that whatsoever I ask of the king, he granteth it
me: and I will tell him of the madness of this stranger, how
that it tyrannously casteth down the great and illustrious
into the depth. For it is not this that grieveth me, that I
am deprived of her companying, but for her am I grieved,
because her greatness of soul is humbled: being an
honourable lady in whom none of her house ever found fault
(condemned), she hath fled away naked, running out of her
own bedchamber, and I know not whither she is gone; and it
may be that she is gone mad by the means of that sorcerer,
and in her madness hath gone forth into the market place to
seek him; for there is nothing that appealeth unto her
lovable except him and the things that are spoken by him.
100 And so saving he began to lament and say: Woe to me, O
my consort, and to thee besides! for I am too quickly
bereaved of thee. Woe is me, my most dear one, for thou
excellest all my race: neither son nor daughter have I had
of thee that I might find rest in them; neither hast thou
yet dwelt with me a full year, and an evil eye hath caught
thee from me. Would that the violence of death had taken
thee, and I should yet have reckoned myself among kings and
nobles: but that I should suffer this at the hands of a
stranger, and belike he is a slave that hath run away, to
mine ill fortune and the sorrow of mine unhappy soul! Let
there be no impediment for me until I destroy him and avenge
this night, and may I not be well pleasing before Misdaeus
the king if he avenge me not with the head of this stranger;
(and I will also tell him) of Siphor the captain who hath
been the occasion of this. For by his means did the stranger
appear here, and lodgeth at his house: and many there be
that go in and come out whom he teacheth a new doctrine;
saying that none can live if he quit not all his substance
and become a renouncer like himself: and he striveth to make
many partakers with him.
101 And as Charisius thought on these things, the day
dawned: and after the night (?) he put on a mean habit, and
shod himself, and went downcast and in heaviness to salute
the king. And when the king saw him he said: Wherefore art
thou sorrowful, and comest in such garb? and I see that thy
countenance is changed. And Charisius said unto the king: I
have a new thing to tell thee and a new desolation which
Siphor hath brought into India, even a certain Hebrew, a
sorcerer, whom he hath sitting in his house and who
departeth not from him: and many are there that go in to
him: whom also he teacheth of a new God, and layeth on them
new laws such as never yet were heard, saving: It is
impossible for you to enter into that eternal life which I
proclaim unto you, unless ye rid you of your wives, and
likewise the wives of their husbands. And it chanced that
mine unlucky wife also went to him and became a hearer of
his words, and she believed them, and in the night she
forsook me and ran unto the stranger. But send thou for both
Siphor and that sorcerer that is hid with (in) him, and
visit it (?) on their head, lest all that are of our nation
perish.
102 And when Misdaeus his friend heard this he saith to
him: Be not grieved nor heavy, for I will send for him and
avenge thee, and thou shalt have thy wife again, and the
others that cannot I will avenge. And the king went forth
and sat on the judgement seat, and when he was set he
commanded Siphor the captain to be called. They went
therefore unto his house and found him sitting on the right
hand of the apostle and Mygdonia at his feet, hearkening to
him with all the multitude. And they that were sent from the
king said unto Siphor: Sittest thou here listening to vain
words, and Misdaeus the king in his wrath thinketh to
destroy thee because of this sorcerer and deceiver whom thou
hast brought into thine house? And Siphor hearing it was
cast down, not because of the king's threat against him, but
for the apostle, because the king was disposed contrary to
him. And he said to the apostle: I am grieved concerning
thee: for I told thee at the first that that woman is the
wife of Charisius the king's friend and kinsman, and he will
not suffer her to perform that she hath promised, and all
that he asketh of the king he granteth him. But the apostle
said unto Siphor: Fear nothing, but believe in Jesus that
pleadeth for us all, for unto his refuge are we gathered
together. And Siphor, hearing that, put his garment about
him and went unto Misdaeus the king,
103 And the apostle inquired of Mygdonia: What was the
cause that thy husband was wroth with thee and devised this
against us? And she said: Because I gave not myself up unto
his corruption (destruction): for he desired last night to
subdue me and subject me unto that passion which he serveth:
and he to whom I have committed my soul delivered me out of
his hands; and I fled away from him naked, and slept with my
nurse: but that which befell him I know not, wherefore he
hath contrived this. The apostle saith: These things will
not hurt us; but believe thou on Jesus, and he shall
overthrow the wrath of Charisius and his madness and his
impulse; and he shall be a companion unto thee in the
fearful way, and he shall guide thee into his kingdom, and
shall bring thee unto eternal life giving thee that
confidence which passeth not away nor changeth.
104 Now Siphor stood before the king, and he inquired of
him: Who is that sorcerer and whence, and what teacheth he
whom thou hast lurking in thine house? And Siphor answered
the king: Thou art not ignorant, O king, what trouble and
grief I, with my friends had concerning my wife, whom thou
knowest and many others remember, and concerning my
daughter, whom I value more than all my possessions, what a
time and trial I suffered; for I became a laughing stock and
a curse in all our country. And I heard the report of this
man and went to him and entreated him, and took him and
brought him hither. And as I came by the way I saw wonderful
and amazing things: and here also many did hear the wild ass
and concerning that devil whom he drove out, and healed my
wife and daughter, and now are they whole; and he asked no
reward but requireth faith and holiness, that men should
become partakers with him in that which he doeth: and this
he teacheth to worship and fear one God, the ruler of all
things, and Jesus Christ his Son, that they may have eternal
life. And that which he eateth is bread and salt, and his
drink is water from evening unto evening, and he maketh many
prayers; and whatsoever he asketh of his God, he giveth him.
And he teacheth that this God is holy and mighty, and that
Christ is living and maketh alive, wherefore also he
chargeth them that are there present to come unto him in
holiness and purity and love and faith.
105 And when Misdaeus the king heard these things of Siphor
he sent many soldiers unto the house of Siphor the captain,
to bring Thomas the apostle and all that were found there.
And they that were sent entered in and found him teaching
much people; and Mygdonia sat at his feet. And when they
beheld the great multitude that were about him, they feared,
and departed to their king and said: We durst not say aught
unto him, for there was a great multitude about him, and
Mygdonia sitting at his feet was listening to the things
that were spoken by him. And when Misdaeus the king and
Charisius heard these things, Charisius leaped out from
before the king and drew much people with him and said: I
will bring him, O king, and Mygdonia whose understanding he
hath taken away. And he came to the house of Siphor the
captain, greatly disturbed, and found him (Thomas) teaching:
but Mygdonia he found not, for she had withdrawn herself
unto her house, having learnt that it had been told her
husband that she was there.
106 And Charisius said unto the apostle: Up, thou wicked
one and destroyer and enemy of mine house: for me thy
sorcery harmeth not, for I will visit thy sorcery on thine
head. And when he so said, the apostle looked upon him and
said unto him: Thy threatenings shall return upon thee, for
me thou wilt not harm any whit: for greater than thee and
thy king and all your army is the Lord Jesus Christ in whom
I have my trust. And Chalisius took a kerchief (turban,
Syr.) of one of his slaves and cast it about the neck of the
apostle, saying: Hale him and bring him away; let me see if
his God is able to deliver him out of my hands. And they
haled him and led him away to Misdaeus the king. And the
apostle stood before the king, and the king said to him:
Tell me who thou art and by what power thou doest these
things. But the apostle kept silence. And the king commanded
his officers (subjects) that he should be scourged with an
hundred and twenty eight (hundred and fifty, Syr.) blows,
and bound, and be cast into the prison; and they bound him
and led him away. And the king and Charisius considered how
they should put him to death, for the multitude worshipped
him as God. And they had it in mind to say: The stranger
hath reviled the king and is a deceiver.
107 But the apostle went unto the prison rejoicing and
exulting, and said: I praise thee, Jesu, for that thou hast
not only made me worthy of faith in thee, but also to endure
much for thy sake. I give thee thanks therefore, Lord, that
thou hast taken thought for me and given me patience: I
thank thee Lord, that for thy sake I am called a sorcerer
and a wizard. Receive thou me therefore with the blessing
(Syr. let me receive of the blessing) of the poor, and of
the rest of the weary, and of the blessings of them whom men
hate and persecute and revile, and speak evil words of them.
For lo, for thy sake I am hated: lo for thy sake I am cut
off from the many, and for thy sake they call me such an one
as I am not.
108 And as he prayed, all the prisoners looked on him, and
besought him to pray for them: and when he had prayed and
was set down, he began to utter a psalm in this wise:
[Here follows the Hymn of the Soul: a most remarkable
composition, originally Syriac, and certainly older than the
Acts, with which it has no real connection. We have it in
Greek in one manuscript, the Vallicellian, and in a
paraphrase by Nicetas of Thessalonica, found and edited by
Bonnet.]
When I was an infant child in the palace of my Father and
resting in the wealth and luxury of my nurturers, out of the
East, our native country, my parents provisioned me and sent
me.
And of the wealth of those their treasures they put
together a load both great and light, that I might carry it
alone.
Gold is the load, of them that are above (or of the land of
the Ellaeans or Gilaeans), and silver of the great treasures
(or of Gazzak the great) and stones, chalcedonies from the
Indians and pearls from the Kosani (Kushan).
And they armed me with adamant and they took off from me
(Gr. put on me) the garment set with gems, spangled with
gold, which they had made for me because they loved me and
the robe that was yellow in hue, made for my stature.
And they made a covenant with me, and inscribed it on mine
understanding, that I should forget it, and said:
If thou go down into Egypt, and bring back thence the one
pearl which is there girt about by the devouring serpent
thou shalt put on the garment set with gems, and that robe
whereupon it resteth (or which is thereon) and become with
thy brother that is next unto us (Gr. of the well
remembered) an heir (Gr. herald) in our kingdom.
109. And I came out of the East by a road difficult and
fearful, with two guides and I was untried in travelling by
it.
And I passed by the borders of the Mosani (Maishan) where
is the resort of the merchants of the East, and reached the
land of the Babylonians.
But when I entered into Egypt, the guides left me which had
journeyed with me.
And I set forth by the quickest way to the serpent, and by
his hole I abode watching for him to slumber and sleep, that
I might take my pearl from him.
And forasmuch as I was alone I made mine aspect strange,
and appeared as an alien to my people.
And there I saw my kinsman from the East, the free born a
lad of grace and beauty, a son of princes (or an anointed
one).
He came unto me and dwelt with me, and I had him for a
companion, and made him my friend and partaker in my journey
(or merchandise).
And I charged him to beware of the Egyptians, and of
partaking of those unclean things (or consorting with those
unclean men).
And I put on their raiment, lest I should seem strange, as
one that had come from without to recover the pearl; and
lest the Egyptians should awake the serpent against me.
But, I know not by what occasion, they learned that I was
not of their country.
And with guile they mingled for me a deceit, and I tasted
of their food.
And I knew no more that I was a king's son, and I became a
servant unto their king.
And I forgot also the pearl for which my fathers had sent
me, and by means of the heaviness of their food I fell into
a deep sleep.
110. But when this befell me, my fathers also were ware of
it, and grieved for me and a proclamation was published in
our kingdom, that all should meet at our doors.
And then the kings of Parthia and they that bare office and
the great ones of the East made a resolve concerning me,
that I should not be left in Egypt, and the princes wrote
unto me signifying thus (and every noble signed his name to
it, Syr.):
From the (thy) Father the King of kings, and thy mother
that ruleth the East, and thy brother that is second unto
us; unto our son that is in Egypt, peace.
Rise up and awake out of sleep, and hearken unto the words
of the letter and remember that thou art a son of kings; lo,
thou hast come under the yoke of bondage.
Remember the pearl for the which thou wast sent into Egypt
(Gr. puts this after 46).
Remember thy garment spangled with gold, Thy name is named
in the book of life, and with thy brother whom thou hast
received in our kingdom.
111. and the King [as ambassador] sealed it because of the
evil ones, even the children of the Babylonians and the
tyrannous demons of Labyrinthus (Sarbug, Syr.).
It flew and lighted down by me, and became all speech.
And I at the voice of it and the feeling of it started up
out of sleep and I took it up and kissed it and read it.
And it was written concerning that which was recorded in
mine heart.
And I remembered forthwith that I was a son of kings, and
my freedom yearned (sought) after its kind.
I remembered also the pearl for the which I was sent down
into Egypt and I began (or came) with charms against the
terrible serpent, and I overcame him (or put him to sleep)
by naming the name of my Father upon him, And I caught away
the pearl and turned back to bear it unto my fathers.
And I stripped off the filthy garment and left it in their
land, and directed my way forthwith to the light of my
fatherland in the East.
And on the way I found my letter that had awakened me, and
it, like as it had taken a voice and raised me when I slept,
so also guided me with the light that came from it.
For at times the royal garment of silk before mine eyes,
and with love leading me and drawing me onward, I passed by
Labyrinthus (Sarbug), and I left Babylon upon my left hand
and I came unto Meson (Mesene; Maishan) the great, that
lieth on the shore of the sea, from the heights of Warkan
(Hyrcania?) had my parents sent thither by the hand of their
treasurers, unto whom they committed it because of their
faithfulness>.
112. But I remembered not the brightness of it; for I was
yet a child and very young when I had left it in the palace
of my Father, but suddenly, [when] I saw the garment made
like unto me as it had been in a mirror.
And I beheld upon it all myself (or saw it wholly in
myself) and I knew and saw myself through it, that we were
divided asunder, being of one; and again were one in one
shape.
Yea, the treasurers also which brought me the garment I
beheld, that they were two, yet one shape was upon both, one
royal sign was set upon both of them.
The money and the wealth had they in their hands, and paid
me the due price, and the lovely garment, which was
variegated with bright colours with gold and precious stones
and pearls of comely hue they were fastened above (or in the
height).
And the likeness of the King of kings was all in all of it.
Sapphire stones were fitly set in it above (or, like the
sapphire stone also were its manifold hues).
113. And again I saw that throughout it motions of
knowledge were being sent forth, and it was ready to utter
speech.
And I heard it speak:
I am of him that is more valiant than all men, for whose
sake I was reared up with the Father himself.
And I also perceived his stature (so Gr. Syr. I perceived
in myself that my stature grew in accordance with his
working).
And all its royal motions rested upon me as it grew toward
the impulse of it (And with its kingly motions it was
spreading itself toward me).
And it hastened, reaching out from the hand of unto him
that would receive it and me also did yearning arouse to
start forth and meet it and receive it.
And I stretched forth and received it, and adorned myself
with the beauty of the colours thereof (mostly Syr.; Gr.
corrupt) and in my royal robe excelling in beauty I arrayed
myself wholly.
And when I had put it on, I was lifted up unto the place of
peace (sahltation) and homage and I bowed my head and
worshipped the brightness of the Father which had sent it
unto me. for I had performed his commandments, and he
likewise that which he had promised, and at the doors of his
palace which was from the beginning I mingled among, and he
rejoiced over me and received me with him into his palace,
and all his servants do praise him with sweet voices.
And he promised me that with him I shall be sent unto the
gates of the king, that with my gifts and my pearl we may
appear together before the king.
[Immediately on this, in the Syriac, follows a Song of
Praise of Thomas the apostle consisting of forty two
ascriptions of praise and four final clauses (Wright, pp.
245 51). It has no bearing on the Acts, and is not in itself
so remarkable as to need to be inserted here.]
114 And Charisius went home glad, thinking that his wife
would be with him, and that she had become such as she was
before, even before she heard the divine word and believed
on Jesus. And he went, and found her with her hair
dishevelled and her clothes rent, and when he saw it he said
unto her: My lady Mygdonia, why doth this cruel disease keep
hold on thee? and wherefore hast thou done this? I am thine
husband from thy virginity, and both the gods and the law
grant me to have rule over thee, what is this great madness
of thine, that thou art become a derision in all our nation?
but put thou away the care that cometh of that sorcerer; and
I will remove his face from among us, that thou mayest see
him no more.
115 But Mygdonia when she heard that gave herself up unto
grief, groaning and lamenting and Charisius said again; Have
I then so much wronged the gods that they have afflicted me
with such a disease? what is my great offence that they have
cast me into such humiliation? I beseech thee. Mvgdonia
trangle my soul no more with the pitiful sight of thee and
thy mean appearance and afflict not mine heart with care for
thee I am Charisius thine husband, whom all the nation
honoureth and feareth. What must I do? I know not whither to
turn. What am I to think? shall I keep silence and endure?
yet who can be patient when men take his treasure? and who
can endure to lose thy sweet ways? and what is there for me?
(Syr. thy beauties which are ever before me) the fragrance
of thee is in my nostrils, and thy bright face is fixed in
mine eyes. They are taking away my soul, and the fair body
which I rejoiced to see they are destroying, and that
sharpest of eyes they are blinding and cutting off my right
hand: my joy is turning to grief and my life to death, and
the light of it is being dyed (?) with darkness. Let no man
of you my kindred henceforth look on me; from you no help
hath come to me, nor will I hereafter worship the gods of
the east that have enwrapped me in such calamities, nor pray
to them any more nor sacrifice to them, for I am bereaved of
my spouse. And what else should I ask of them? for all my
glory is taken away, yet am I a prince and next unto the
king in power; but Mygdonia hath set me at nought, and taken
away all these things. (Would that some one would blind one
of my eyes, and that thine eyes would look upon me as they
were wont, Syr. which has more clauses, to the same effect.)
116 And while Charisius spake thus with tears, Mygdonia sat
silent and looking upon the ground; and again he came unto
her and said: My lady Mygdonia, most desired of me, remember
that out of all the women that are in India I chose and took
thee as the most beautiful, though I might have joined to
myself in marriage many more beautiful: but yet I lie,
Mygdonia, for by the gods it would not have been possible to
find another like thee in the land of India; but woe is me
always, for thou wilt not even answer me a word: but if thou
wilt, revile me, so that I may only be vouchsafed a word
from thee. Look at me, for I am more comely than that
sorcerer: but thou art my wealth and honour: and all men
know that there is none like me: and thou art my race and
kindred; and lo, he taketh thee away from me.
117 And when Charisius had so said, Mygdonia saith unto
him: He whom I love is better than thee and thy substance:
for thy substance is of earth and returneth unto the earth;
but he whom I love is of heaven and will take me with him
unto heaven. Thy wealth shall pass away, and thy beauty
shall vanish, and thy robes, and thy many works: and thou
shalt be alone, naked, with thy transgressions. Call not to
my remembrance thy deeds (unto me), for I pray the Lord that
I may forget thee, so as to remember no more those former
pleasures and the custom of the body; which shall pass away
as a shadow, but Jesus only endureth for ever, and the souls
which hope in him. Jesus himself shall quit me of the
shameful deeds which I did with thee. And when Charisius
heard this, he turned him to sleep, vexed (dissolved) in
soul, saying to her: Consider it by thyself all this night:
and if thou wilt be with me such as thou wast before, and
not see that sorcerer, I will do all according to thy mind,
and if thou wilt remove thine affection from him I will take
him out of the prison and let him go and remove into another
country, and I will not vex thee, for I know that thou
makest much of the stranger. And not with thee first did
this matter come about, for many other women also hath he
deceived with thee; and they have awaked sober and returned
to themselves: do not thou then make nought of my words and
cause me to be a reproach among the Indians.
118 And Charisius having thus spoken went to sleep: but she
took ten denarii (20 zuze, Syr.), and went secretly to give
them to the gaolers that she might enter in to the apostle.
But on the way Judus Thomas came and met her, and she saw
him and was afraid, for she thought that he was one of the
rulers: for a great light went before him. And she said to
herself as she fled: have lost thee, O my unhappy soul! for
thou wilt not again see Judas the apostle of the living ,
and not yet hast thou received the holy seal. And she fled
and ran into a narrow place and there hid herself, saying: I
would rather choose to be killed (taken) by the poorer, whom
it is possible to persuade, than to fall into the hand of
this mighty ruler, who will despise gifts.