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
ron
(Ron)
#1